Juliette Garcia

Deputy Business Development Director

Expertise:

  • Organic synthesis chemistry
  • Polymers
  • Formulation
  • Solid-phase chemistry
  • Quality control

Education:

  • Post graduate D.E.A. (diplôme d’études approfondies) in Organic Chemistry (M. Sc.) 1999 – Université de Rouen (France)
  • License in Chemistry (B. Sc.) 1997 – Université de Rouen (France)

Continuing education:

  • Practical leadership training
  • Project management, priority management, continuous improvement (KAISEN approach)
  • Personnel management
  • Management of research funds

Experience:

Ms. Garcia has been working for Kemitek since January 2009 as a Chemist in R&D. She has received training in project management, and she has worked on several research and development projects. Some of these mandates have allowed the technological transfert and the commercialisation of developed products (bio-sourced polyurethane adhesive and liquid soaps). Following that, for 6 years, Ms. Garcia had been a Deputy Scientific Director and she had managed multi-partnership research projects (Universities, CCTT, research centers, industrials etc.). In February 2021, she was appointed Deputy Business Development Director.

  • Deputy Business Development Director, Kemitek – since 2021
  • Deputy Scientific Director, Kemitek – 2015 to 2021
  • R&D Chemist/Project manager, Kemitek – 2009 to 2014
  • R&D Chemist, OMEGACHEM – 2004 to 2007
    • Multi-stage synthesis of compounds of biological interest
    • Synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates
  • Chemist in process development, OMEGACHEM – 2003
    • Development of a dozen new molecules incorporated to the OMEGACHEM catalog
  • R&D Chemist, MATRIX-INNOVATION – 2002
    • Synthesis on solid support (functionnalized resins)
  • Chemist, SANOFI (France) – 2001
    • Quality control
  • PhD Student, Université Laval – 2000
  • D.E.A. Student, IRCOF (Université de Rouen, France) – 1999

Accomplishments:

  • Development of new biodegradable and biosourced plasticizers tested on PLA and PVC matrices.
  • Development of new biotensioactives : about 15 prototypes were synthesized (chemically and/or enzymatically) and tested to verify certain specific properties.
  • Scalling of surfactants : work was carried out on la laboratory scale, kilolab and in the 120-liter reactor. A technology transfert with the partner is currently under study.
  • Development of industrial fluids (bioadditives and biolubricants) : the aim of this study was to enrich the camelina oil with 20% ricinoleic acid and to upgrade this modified oil and its byproducts. The work was divided into 3 axes : the development of an analytical method in HPLC specific to the triglycerides studied, the optimisation of the synthesis to enrich the oil and the functionnalization of triglycerides in order to obtain the targeted properties.
  • Production of adhesives and coatings based on polyurethanes from oleochemical sources : this study was carried out in collaboration with the CTMP (Centre de Technologie Minérale et de Plasturgie). This applied research project was transferred to the private partner and the developed adhesive was produced on a large scale. It is marketed under the name DUOTACK NEO.
  • Stabilization of liquid soaps based on clay : a technological transfer was made and two liquid soaps containing biosourced ingredients and clay were marketed in 2013.
  • Development of bioreactive polymers for the plastics and composites industry : this project was carried out in collaboration with the CTMP (Centre de Technologie Minérale et de Plasturgie). The work was based on the development and characterization of new thermoplastic biopolymer. A development of GPC analysis methods was carried out as well as the synthesis of oleochemical additives compatible with biopolymers.
  • Development of a technological platform for the recovery of oilseeds in industrial applications of technical materials and fluids : work on the synthesis of biosourced polyols, diamines and biscarbonates has been carried out and the development of biomaterials is under way.
  • Multivalorisation of glycerol from biodiesel : glycerol has been upgraded as a dust suppressant. Field tests have also been undertaken. Tests for the conversion of glycerol to propylene glycol were carried out in a PARR reactor.
  • Seaweed segment : participation in the management of the OPTIMAL program (integrated sector for an industrial exploitation of cultivated algae in Quebec). This project is carried out in collaboration with MERINOV and the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles.
  • Development of a new type of biosourced colored markers.

Publications:

  • J. Garcia, “Design of VOC-free, biodegradable and biocompatible plasticizers for shaping PVC and PLA and / or PHA biopolymers”, 2009, PART report (MELS) for the PART2008A037 project.
  • J. Garcia, R. Bernier “VOC-free, biodegradable and biocompatible plasticizers PHASE II: optimization of performance”, 2011, PART report (MELS) for the PART2009NO20 project.
  • J. Garcia, R. Bernier “Nonionic biotensioacids made from an osidic derivative and derivatives of vegetable oils, 2011, PART report (MELS) for the project PART2010A007.
  • J. Garcia, R. Bernier, J. Labrecque, G. De Granpré, A. Tremblay, “Synthesis and study of bioplasticizers derived from vegetable oils used with PLA”, May 2012, Long Beach, 103rd AOCS symposium.
  • J. Garcia, J-Y. Bergeron, G. Hersant, A. Tremblay, May 2010, Phoenix, USA, poster presentation at the 101st AOCS Symposium, “interesterification of camelina and beaver oil: analysis and optimization of the reaction”.
  • J. Garcia, J-Y. Bergeron, G. Hersant, A. Tremblay “Structured Triglycerides (TAG)”, April 2010, Quebec, QC, Canada, poster presentation at the Réseau Transtech Forum.

Member of Evaluation Committees:

  • 2010 to 2012 – Evaluator for applications to the PART program

Memberships:

  • Member of the Ordre des Chimistes du Québec (OCQ)