Invest in France Agency nordic-countries Office

Recognized for its industrial and scientific expertise in the fields of railway transport, automotive, logistics and intelligent transport systems, the i-Trans cluster aims to become the leader in Europe for the design, manufacture, operating and maintenance of innovative transport systems.

In order to fulfil its worldwide potential, the cluster has based its strategy on two key issues over the coming 2008-2010 period:

• Develop partnerships with complementary clusters, in order to create a European meta-cluster to be the leading network worldwide in the field of rail and transport. A Franco-German axis could form the backbone of this network.
• Assist the international development of SME’s that are committed to a policy of manufacturing environmentally clean products (sustainable), via collaborative innovation, that are listed with major clients.

Advantages

Bordered by Belgium and England to the north and the Paris Region to the south, the area is fully integrated into the European communications and transport networks. The major capital cities of London, Paris and Brussels are only one hour away by train.

The cluster hosts the head offices of the European Railway Agency at Valenciennes and the “Etablissement public de sécurité ferroviaire” (public body responsible for railway safety) at Amiens.
Other advantages include : the Petite Forêt railway testing center (CEF), hosting and organization of international events (SIFER trade fair, 2011 WCRR World congress for railway research).

Partners

Partners include the main actors in industry, research and training in the fields of railway transport, automobile, logistics, and intelligent transport systems. The majority of these are located in Northern France (Nord-Pas de Calais and Picardy regions).

Partners include major international companies, SME’s/SMI’s, micro-businesses (“TPE”), laboratories, public and private research centers, centers for higher education, universities, “grandes écoles” engineering schools. There are also individual experts in the field of transport who provide support through their extensive experience and knowledge of the sector.

More than 50 member companies and over 20 research and educational organizations.

Companies
23 Major national and international groups : Alstom Transport, AMKEY Management, Arcelor Altlantique et lorraine, Atos Worldline, Bombardier Transport, Carbone lorraine, EGIS Mobilité, Faiveley Transport, Federal Mogul, GECOM, Hutchinson, NFTIou, OUTREAU Technologies, Railtech International, RATP, Renault, Saint Gobain Sekurit, Siemens, SNCF, Direction de Lille, Valeo Embrayages, Vistéon systèmes Intérieurs, Vossloh Cogifer

30 SME’sActeos, Archimed, a-Volute, Carrières du Boulonnais, Delta 3, Dourdin SA, ESI Group S.A., Port Autonome de Dunkerque, Port de Lille, Valutec, Vibratec, AUDITIEL, ECA, KLS OPTIM, SARL Signal Developpement, Aetech, Arbel Fauvet rail, CERTIFER, CIMES, Ducrocq Ingénierie Process, Duflot, HIOLLE INDUSTRIES, INFODIO, Réseau Ferré de France, SOCEL VISIONOR, Sofanor, Stratiforme Industries, Valdunes Entreprises, Innotech, INOFORGES.

Research and/or educational establishments
9 Research organizations
Centre National Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.), CETIM, CREPIM, CRITT M2A, IFTH, INERIS, Institut national de la recherche dans les Transports (INRETS), INRIA, ONERA.

6 Educational establishments
Ecole Centrale de Lille, ENSAIT, ENSAM, ENTE, ESC Lille, ESIEE.

8 Research and educational establishments
Ecole des Mines de Douai, Ecole Supérieur de Chimie de Lille, ICAM, Université d'Artois, Université Picardie Jules Verne, Université Sciences et Technologies de Lille, Université Technologique de Compiègne, Université de Valenciennes Hainaut-Cambrésis

Current R&D partnerships

- 53 approved projects (see appendix) including 20% that are steered by SME’s ;  57% of all companies involved in the projects are SME’s.
- Global budget of 115 million euros, including 26 million euros financed by public funding

International partnerships

- Partnership with the Barcelona railway cluster
- Partnership to be finalized with the Rhénanie-Nord-Westphalie region.
- Partnership with the Logistics cluster in Wallonia : collaboration charter agreement signed in April 2008
- Partnership to be finalized with the Rhénanie du Nord-Westphalie region, in Germany.
- Contacts with the Barcelona railway cluster and other European clusters (United Kingdom, Germany,…)
- Development of a Railway testing center

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