CLUSTERS:
A NEW WAY TO DO
BUSINESS IN
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NEW
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66
16
16
1,5
1,5
66
Designated Clusters
classified as world-class
€ 1,5 billion over 3 years
in state support for R&D
Early Insiders:
Atmel, Philips Semiconductors, Freescale, GSK, Bristol Myers Squib, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Texas
Instrument, Motorola, Siemens, Novartis, Bosch, and General Electric, are just some examples of
global companies that are already working with clusters in France.
IT, Images and Network field:
Xerox is involved in Image, multimedia and digital life, where its partners in this project are major
enterprises such as Thales. Xerox is also involved in Microtechnologies, Nanotechnologies and
Software (Minalogic) – Grenoble.
“From the very beginning Xerox has always been deeply involved in
innovation. Xerox has for many years been establishing beneficial
exchanges with other public and private bodies both in France and across
Europe. Our cooperation in these two competitive clusters is a
continuation of our commitment,”
said Monica Beltrametti, vice-president and director of Xerox.
The Japanese company Yamatake is also involved in Minalogic:
“Within the framework of the Minalogic cluster, Yamatakee engineers
have worked in Grenoble with French engineers from the famous French
laboratory LETI. We have then benefited from LETI know-how and
industrial expertise,”
said Tadashi Hirooka, Executive & Chief Technology Officer, Yamatake
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Cancer, bio-health field:
GSK is involved in Cancer-bio-santé, a Toulouse-based cluster focusing on cancer, bio food and
healthcare in general:
“GSK is involved in two French clusters: oncology and cardio-vascular
diseases. Clusters are a very good concept: it’s a good way to put
everybody around the table and create synergy between public and private
research,”
said Christophe Weber, CEO of GSK France.
Faust Pharmaceuticals is involved in the Meditech Santé cluster,
focused on infectious diseases and oncology:
“The clusters initiative as I understand it sounds like an excellent idea to
me. I think that there are challenges in promoting biotech clusters. There
are a lot of cities and regions around the world who want to become
biotech clusters. And I think the government here has identified the needs
and is going about in a purposeful manner.”
Thomas Seoh, CEO Faust Pharmaceuticals.
Medical biology: Sanofi-Aventis is involved in LyonBiopôle, a Lyonbased cluster focusing on health safety, treatments for still-rampant
diseases:
“LyonBiopôle is developing a huge potential that will reach critical mass in
this field, involving research and instructy in international-scale projects”,
Jean-François Dehecq, CEO Sanofi-Aventis.
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French clusters are all the more
sustainable since they fall within
the scope of the European
Commission plans regarding
national clusters set up by EU
members. In Stockholm next
November, 2007, Brussels plans to
launch a long-term cluster-oriented European policy to enable
national clusters in Europe to operate together, creating an effective
network of Europe-targeted clusters without boundaries.
In addition, French clusters rank
high in the government’s to-do list
for 2007, based on the agenda of
the Second Annual Symposium on
Clusters, which took place in Sofia
Antipolis on November 17, 2006.
During the symposium, the main
partnerships between French clusters and foreign clusters were
debated.
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France’s Leading Clusters
1.
Information and Communications Technologies
sector (five clusters):
z “Minalogic”, specialized in nanotechnologies;
z “Secure Communication Solutions”, specialized in software solutions;
“System@tic Paris-Région”, specialized in electronic systems
z “IMDL”, specialized in digital content
z “Images and Network”, specialized in the digitization and broadcasting of
images.
2.
Transportation sector (five clusters):
z The “Midi-Pyrenees and Aquitaine aerospace cluster”;
z “I-Trans”, a rail transportation cluster;
z “Movéo”, specialized in automotive and public transportation;
z “Seanergie”,
z “Sea, Safety & Security”.
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3.
Biotechnology and Healthcare sector (three clusters):
z “Medicen Paris Region” specialized in medical imaging, and molecular
and cell medicine;
z “Lyonbiopôle” specialized in infectious disease and medical diagnosis
products;
z “Therapeutic Innovations”, focused on the drug industry, biotech and
medical instruments.
4.
Bio-agronomics sector (two clusters):
z “Industry and Agri-resources” focused on the development of products
based on plant components exploitation;
z “The specialized plant” focused on genomics and production
of high-value-added seeds, trees, plants.
5.
Chemicals sector (one cluster):
z “Chemicals-Environment”, specialized in eco-design of chemical
products in Europe.
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The leading Clusters in France
66 Designated Clusters
16 classified as
world-class
Arques
(Domestics materials)
Boulogne-sur-Mer
National clusters
Marcq-en-Barœul
Global clusters
Paris
(Image
Multimedia)
Champs-sur-Marne
(Urban
sustainable mobility)
Paris
(Infection diseases cancer
and cardiotherapy)
Loos
(Nutrition/Health)
Lille
(Fishing industry)
(Technical Textiles)
(Trading industries)
(Railway construction)
Amiens
Palaiseau
(Software and
complex systems)
(Agro Industries)
Le Havre
(Logistics)
Caen
Metz
(Steel and innovative materials)
Mondeville
(Transportation,
Safety and
propulsion systems)
(The horse breeding industry)
Brest
(Sea)
Reims
Rouen
(Secure electronic transactions)
Paris
Strasbourg
(Biotherapies)
Rennes
Epinal
(Images,
Communication Networks)
(High grade cars)
Quimper
(Tomorrow’s food)
(Fibers)
Chartres
(Cosmetics)
Angers
Mulhouse
(Specialized vegetals)
Nantes
(Biotherapy)
(Civil engineering)
(Cars for the future)
Tours
Dijon
(Electric powerful systems)
(Nuclear)
(Food nutrition)
(Composites)
Besançon
(Micro-technologies)
Cholet
(Children)
(Digital
(Virology infectious entertainment)
deseases)
(Trucks
and buses)
Poitiers
(Advanced transportation)
Oyonnax
(Plastics)
Chappes
(Microwaves)
Limoges
St Denis
(Tropical agriculture
and nutrition)
(Ceramics)
Bordeaux
(Wood)
(Lasers)
(Innovative
grains)
(Meat and meat products)
Lyon
St-Etienne
(Food and health)
(Technical
textiles)
Annecy
(Topping)
Clermont-Ferrand
(Mechanical Engineering)
(Chemistry
and environment)
Chambery
(Sports and leisures
industries)
(Renewable Energy)
Grenoble
(Nanotechnology)
RÉUNION
(Aerospace and
on-board systems)
Pont Saint Esprit
(Nuclear Technology)
Toulouse
(Green House
effects free technology)
Aix-en-Provence
(Cancer, bio-health)
Sophia Antipolis-Rousset
Cadarache
Avignon
(Fruits and vegetables)
(Secure communication
solutions)
Grasse
(Perfumes and flavors)
(Risk management)
Montpellier
(Agrifood)
(Emerging and
orphan diseases)
Perpignan
(Renewable energy)
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Marseille
(Optics and imaging)
Toulon
(Sea, safety, security)
5 Major Benefits of Working
with a Cluster
Financial support from the government
The government provided $645 million in financial assistance per year, from
2006 to 2008, focusing on the R&D sector. This support targets all partners
involved in clusters, regardless of size or origin. Out of the $645 million, $297
million are directly provided by French ministries.
Local financial support from French regions
France’s regions are dedicated to fostering innovation and R&D within the
framework of clusters. Additionally, national organizations – such as the
National Agency for Research, and the Agency for industrial innovation, are
also likely to pay subsidies of up to $220 million a year targeting cluster-committed companies.
Fiscal incentives and tax relief
The government has recently doubled the fiscal incentives allocated to clusters. In total, $1.9 billion over three years will support further development.
Fiscal and social funds are also available to clusters. Clusters also enable
companies involved to be eligible for tax relief, which should not exceed $129
million per year. Tax relief includes corporate income tax, annual tax, business tax, as well as property/real estate tax. They are also eligible for employer’s contributions relief for a maximum of 72 months from the project validation date.
Direct access to leading players in your field
Clusters enable each player taking part to directly access the leading players,
the top researchers and a highly-qualified staff.
Partnership opportunities
Companies involved benefit from a unique technological environment, international research teams and the developing partnerships with foreign clusters.
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Examples of partnerships set up so far:
z the System@tic cluster went into a partnership with the German SafeTrans and
the Dutch cluster Point-One
z the
Industries Agro-Ressources cluster went into a partnership with the
Canadian state Ontario, regarding renewable energy issues
z the Mer Bretagne cluster is currently operating in close liaison with Egyptian,
Canadian and Asian clusters
z the Photonique cluster makes two European networks work together: Réseau
Optique Méditerranée and Europe Innova, in which the Italian IFAC-CNR and the
University of Barcelona are involved
z the Solutions Communicantes Sécurisées cluster has just gone into a partnership
with the Italian Fundation Torino Wireless, as well as with three Tunisian technological clusters – since 12/01/2007
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Latest press clippings regarding French
clusters internationalization
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Backgrounder on Clusters:
A cluster is a geographical region specializing in a specific sector (s). It sharpens France’s competitive edge by building partnerships between the companies, research organizations and training centers gathered in a given geographic area to work on joint innovative projects. A common development
strategy, strong partnerships between the players, a focus on highly marketable technologies and
international visibility are the four key elements required to make a successful cluster.
France’s Dedication to Innovation
The creation of the clusters is part of France’s attractiveness policy which aims to maintain the best
economic environment to help foreign investors do business in France. Clusters were created at the
initiative of companies and regions. They facilitate the active collaboration of large and small companies, private and public laboratories, schools and universities. Projects initiated by companies or
research institutions enjoy public support.
In addition to strengthening the competitiveness of companies in France and supporting economic
development, clusters are also part of France’s economic strategy. They provide a splendid work environment for foreign companies, which find the skills and standards they need within these projects.
Foreign companies participate in a number of research and development projects within the clusters.
At times, they are also initiators of the joint projects they work on.As they concentrate the best players in their sectors, the clusters attract foreign investors and raise France visibility abroad. 79% of foreign entrepreneurs believe that French clusters will strengthen the innovation ability of companies in
France. Additionally, 76% of the foreign CEOs polled – particularly CEOs heading high-tech companies
- think that clusters will create higher competitiveness in every business sector of France’s economy.
The survey confirms that innovation is at the core of foreign CEO’s investment policy, and 77% of them
assert that French researchers are innovative, and that this is a key element in their investment decision.
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How does a cluster become a cluster?
The cluster is granted an official label by the government, and becomes a national or international
cluster – the latter label meaning the cluster is world-class and able to compete on a global scale in
its specific field. When approving a cluster, the government looks at its ability to:
z create new wealth with high added value and qualified jobs
z position itself in the global market with strong growth potential
z be underpinned by strong, valuable partnerships between the various players
z define targets and implement the means required for an effective economic development strategy
based on research and innovation.
1 Poll taken by the IFOP Institute on June 2006 for the Invest in France Agency, 76% out of the polled foreign CEOs deem that cluster are
clear sign of competitiveness and economic good health. 2 AmCham-Bain 2006 Barometer.
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World-class clusters
Chimie-environnement
Lyon Rhône-Alpes (AXELERA)
Images & Réseaux
i-Trans
Industries & Agro-Ressources
Innovations thérapeutiques
MOV’EO
Pôle Mer Bretagne
Pôle Mer PACA
Végépolysv
Aerospace Valley
LYONBIOPOLE
Medicen Paris Région
MINALOGIC
Solutions Communicantes
Sécurisées
SYSTEM@TIC Paris Région
Cap Digital Paris Région
Clusters:
Agronutrition en milieu
tropical (Qualitropic)
Industries des sports et
des loisirs (SPORALTEC)
Arve Industries Haute-Savoie
Mont-Blanc
Industries du Commerce
Atlantic Biotherapies
Industries et Pin maritime du
futur
Automobile haut de gamme
InnoViandes
CAPENERGIES
Céramique
Céréales Vallée
Cosmetic valley
Logistique Seine-Normandie
Loisirs Numériques
Pôle Filière produits aquatiques
Pôle Nucléaire Bourgogne
Prod’Innov
Q@LI-MEDiterranée
S2E2 (Sciences et Systèmes
de l’Energie Electrique)
MAUD (Matériaux à usage
domestique)
Route des Lasers
Microtechniques
ELOPSYS
MTA (Mobilité et transports
avancés)
Fibres Naturelles Grand’Est
Pôle européen d’innovation
fruits et légumes
Lyon Urban Truck&Bus 2015
DERBI (Développement des
énergies renouvelables
bâtiment - industrie)
EMC2 (Ensembles
métalliques et composites
complexes)
Pôle Enfant
MIPI (matériaux innovants
et produits intelligents)
Nutrition Santé Longévité
ORPHEME
TECHTERA
TENERRDIS
TES (Transactions
Electroniques Sécurisées)
TRIMATEC (TRIcastinMArcoule-TEChnologies)
UP-TEX
Valorial
Filière équine
PASS (Parfums, arômes,
senteurs, saveurs)
Génie Civil Ouest
Photonique (Optitec)
VIAMECA
Gestion des risques,
vulnérabilité des territoires
PLASTIPOLIS
Ville et Mobilité Durables
Pôle Cancer-Bio-Santé
VITAGORA
Véhicule du futur
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