Our R&D, a driving force for environmental innovation
Imagining Tomorrow’s Solutions to Reduce Industrial Emissions
At LAB, Research and Development is at the heart of our strategy.
Our commitment
Develop high-performance, reliable, and sustainable technologies that help our industrial clients reduce their emissions (dust, acid gases, heavy metals, CO₂, etc.).
Jane ABI AAD - Head of R&D
Our Pioneering Roots
At the origins of Waste-to-Energy, a visionary foundation
LAB’s story began in 1953 in Lyon, with a scientist driven by a groundbreaking idea: recovering energy from waste while cleaning combustion gases. A true Waste-to-Energy pioneer, he filed the first patents in what would later become a cornerstone of the energy transition.
In its early days, the company focused on pure innovation, sharing its breakthroughs through patent licensing. The next generation marked a strategic shift by building turnkey projects and grounding research in industrial application.
Since then, our R&D has continuously evolved to develop proprietary processes that meet both today’s and tomorrow’s environmental challenges.
A culture of continuous invention
From early innovations to cutting-Edge technologies
Since its very beginning, LAB has stood out for its ability to design groundbreaking technologies in a field that was still emerging. From the early years, we developed innovative systems for flue gas treatment, including the first scrubbers and atomizers.
This technical foundation gave rise to flagship equipment such as:
- ACTILAB ®
- LABLOOP ®
- Our marine SO₂ capture systems
These were followed by even more advanced, patented processes, including:
- VAPOLAB ®
- BLUEBOX
- QSILVERBOX ®
At LAB, innovation is not a milestone — it is our method, our driving force, and our lasting commitment.
Forward-Looking R&D
Anticipate, Understand, Transform
In the face of increasingly stringent environmental regulations and the emergence of new pollutants, our R&D plays a strategic role. It doesn’t just respond to standards — it anticipates them.
We develop advanced technical solutions designed for an evolving industrial world. Our scientific approach combines:
- Analysis of complex phenomena,
- Process optimization,
- Continuous performance improvement.
This ability to bridge foresight and pragmatism is the strength of our scientific approach. At LAB, innovation means doing better today while preparing the solutions of tomorrow.
An agile organization, connected to the field
Strategic projects, driven collectively. Our R&D is closely integrated with all parts of the company and engages in regular collaboration with MARTIN’s R&D, ensuring alignment between innovation, strategy, and operations.
It draws strength from :
- The expertise of seasoned professionals,
- The energy of new generations,
- Cross-functional collaboration between engineering, production, and customer service.
Our current research efforts notably focus on:
- CO₂ capture,
- The behaviour of PFAS in Waste-to-Energy processes,
- Optimization of existing installations.
LAB evolves within an open ecosystem, working with:
- Research institutes (CNRS, European universities),
- Industrial partners,
- Collaborative innovation programs.
Discover our ongoing projects
Since its beginnings, LAB has stood out for its ability to design pioneering technologies in an emerging field. From the very first years, we envisioned innovative systems for the treatment of gases from combustion.
+5
Patents and scientific publications
+10
National and international scientific collaborations
+5
Conferences and congresses per year
A committed player in transforming the sector
Structuring, sharing, advancing
Our commitment goes beyond our own walls. LAB is actively involved in:
- National and European technical working groups,
- Standardization committees,
- Leading scientific conferences.
We share our progress, convinced that collaboration accelerates advancement.