A breeding ground for bioresources, ecotech and the environment!
An ambitious national strategy for the bioeconomy and ecological transition
France is implementing strong measures to structure and accelerate ecological transition:
● Bpifrance’s Environment Impact Fund, which supports the growth of strategic companies in terms of energy and ecological transition.
● The national strategy for the bioeconomy, which promotes the use of bioresources for multiple applications (agriculture, energy, cosmetics etc).
Biotech - a focus on the future
Through the 2030 Health Innovation Plan and an investment of 7 billion euros, France has the ambition to return to being a world leader by focusing on predictive, preventative and personalised medicine.
By looking towards biotechnologies, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and connected objects, the aim is to develop at least 20 innovative biomedicines by 2030 and to design the medical devices of the future.
As well as being a scientific and technological opportunity, it is also a must in order to guarantee access to the best treatments and to control healthcare costs.
A buoyant ecosystem of innovation across the country
France has been committed to an ambitious ecological transition policy for over two decades, supported by public initiatives that encourage innovation in bioresources and ecotechnologies. In 2018, the government launched a national strategy for the bioeconomy, the aim of which was to maximum the use of renewable resources to replace fossil carbon with sustainable alternatives.
Leading research institutions such as CEA Tech, with its unique expertise as an “innovation supplier” for the whole of French industry, and the Nantes-based UMR GEPEA, which specialises in process engineering for the bioresources sector, play a key role in the development of advanced technological solutions in France’s regions. B4C (Bioeconomy For Change), the country’s leading reference in the bioeconomy sector in France, is an essential part of this ecosystem through its ability to bring structure to the different bioeconomy sectors and to facilitate the development of sustainable solutions in various fields. In particular, these structures help to optimise energy production from waste and to develop innovative industrial bioprocesses.
“The medical revolution will be based around these criteria, in other words, the convergence of breakthrough health innovations, as well as the convergence with quantum computing, artificial intelligence and everything that enables us, along with the Internet of Things, to bring together families of technologies that were hitherto separated.” Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, as part of his presentation of France’s 2023 Action Plan.
Several French regions stand out for their expertise and dynamic approach in the ecotechnologies sector:
Angers and Vegepolys Valley: a cluster of excellence in the plant field, combining research, innovation and industry to promote sustainable agriculture and the bioeconomy.
Lyon: recognised for its leadership in ecotechnologies, the city plays host to the BePOSITIVE Show, dedicated to energy and digital transition.
Toulouse: a major training and research centre for green and biosourced chemistry.
Marseille: host for the World Conservation Congress in 2021, affirming its commitment to biodiversity and environmental protection.
Paris: working alongside Paris Biotech Santé and Station F, the world’s largest campus for start-ups, the city plays hosts to innovative companies in green tech, the bioeconomy and ecological transition, confirming its place as an innovation hub in this sector. In parallel, urban agriculture is also developing through emblematic projects such as the Ferme Urbaine sur les toits de la Porte de Versailles – Viparis, the largest rooftop farm in Europe, which contributes to food self-sufficiency and the reduction of cities’ carbon footprint. Initiatives such as Réinventer Paris also encourage the development of ecological architecture. Lastly, the city hosts major events such as: Pollutec Paris, dedicated to environmental solutions; PRODURABLE, Europe’s largest sustainable economy event; and the ChangeNOW Summit, bringing together innovators from around the world.
With its modern infrastructures, recognised expertise and pioneering commitment to sustainable development, France is a key player in the bioeconomy and ecotechnology sectors and provides the perfect backdrop in which to design and build the environmental solutions of the future.
