Title: Independent Consultant
Company: Innovative Catalysis and Processing LLC
Location: Hellertown, Pennsylvania, United States
Michel A. Daage, PhD, Independent Consultant at Innovative Catalysis and Processing LLC, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Scientists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Chemistry.
Dr. Daage has established a distinguished career spanning over 45 years in the field of chemistry, with a particular focus on heterogeneous catalysis in the oil and gas industry, as well as the development of low-emission fuels and lubricants derived from petroleum, natural gas and biomass. His expertise is widely recognized, and he is praised for his significant contributions to both scientific research and industrial innovation.
In 2024, Dr. Daage began serving as an independent consultant, utilizing his extensive background to work on technologies of interest to the oil and gas industry. His efforts are primarily directed toward advancing low-emissions products and processing methods derived from oil, natural gas and biomass.
Dr. Daage was previously associated with Innovative Catalysis and Processing (iCAP) LLC in the Greater New York City area, where he served as the sole proprietor from 2016 to 2024. During this period, he focused on catalysts and catalytic processes, developing innovative solutions for the energy sector. He specialized in front-end research, fundamentals and research, further cementing his reputation as a leader in catalysis and process engineering. Notably, Dr. Daage secured 60 U.S. patents while managing iCap, primarily in the areas of fuels, lubricants and chemical upgrading.
While leading iCap, Dr. Daage also contributed his expertise as a consultant with Essex Consulting Group in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, from 2018 to 2019, focusing on research and development efforts, particularly in catalytic processes.
Dr. Daage’s most substantial tenure was with ExxonMobil Corporation, also in the Greater New York City area, where he served from 1984 to 2016. He joined the company’s corporate research team in New Jersey following his postdoctoral studies in the U.S. Over more than three decades with the oil and gas company, he rose to the position of senior scientific advisor within research and engineering before retiring in 2016. Among his many achievements at ExxonMobil, Dr. Daage is particularly proud of being one of the inventors behind the advanced hydrocracking technology implemented at the Rotterdam refinery in the Netherlands. This significant investment, completed in 2019 for € 1 billion, transformed the facility into a leading European producer of distillate fuel and high-quality Group II lubricants.
Before making his way to the U.S., Dr. Daage held the position of chargé de recherche at Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in France from 1978 to 1984. This foundational experience provided him with a solid foundation in scientific inquiry, setting the stage for his later achievements.
Born in Germany, Dr. Daage studied at Lille 1 University of Science and Technology in France, where he obtained a bachelor’s, master’s, and a Doctor of Philosophy in chemistry. He then pursued postdoctoral studies in the U.S. between 1984 and 1986, an experience that facilitated his transition into industrial research with ExxonMobil.
Dr. Daage’s leadership extends beyond research and development. He has been actively involved in professional organizations, including chairing the technical program for the North American Catalysis Society in 2008. Beyond his professional achievements, he has made significant contributions through mentoring doctoral students and new employees at ExxonMobil, fostering talent within the next generation of scientists and engineers. A prolific author and thought leader, Dr. Daage has published more than 40 scientific papers and has been an invited presenter at national and international conferences hosted by organizations such as the North American Catalysis Society.
Throughout his professional career, Dr. Daage has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill in bridging the disciplines of chemistry and engineering. He holds more than 70 U.S. patents in all for his work. Dr. Daage has also received multiple awards from ExxonMobil, as well as the Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award from the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, for a 2020 patent he secured.
Dr. Daage attributes much of his success to working across multiple specialties, collaborating closely with engineers to develop new technologies, advance them through commercialization and address patent aspects. Today, he remains committed to sharing his knowledge with others, believing that doing so brings hope during a period of significant change within his field as it transitions toward sustainable processing methods for biomass and low-emissions products. Dr. Daage’s ongoing dedication ensures that he continues to make substantial contributions to both science and industry.
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