Press Releases
Find in this section our press releases.
New sources of energy in France: France is Europe’s 2nd leading producer of sustainable energy
Control of energy and the development of renewable energy in France has resulted in a sector with a turnover of 33 billion euros in 2007 and created 220,000 jobs according to the French Environment and Energy Management Agency ADEME.
The EU objectives established in March 2007, fixed a target for renewable energy sources to comprise 20% of total primary energy consumption by 2020. The fight against global warming is the main priority for the French EU presidency, as determined by the French government during the Grenelle Environment Round Table. (...)
Philippe Favre, President of the Invest in France Agency, says, “France is the location of choice for these kinds of industries: the tariff buyback program is one of the most attractive in Europe and France has high-skilled labour in the electricity network domain and significant potential in wind power. Thanks to the ambitious program of the next 12 years, there are great opportunities for sustainable energy in France”.
Recycling of industrial and household waste in France: major source of raw materials
Thanks to its expertise in waste treatment, acquired over a long period of time dealing with all types of waste material, France has important technical skills that can be adapted to the recycling of waste products, highly qualified manpower, and highly regarded technological expertise.
Recycling of waste materials has become a major economic and environmental issue. Waste reduction is one of the key reforms of the Grenelle Environment Round Table proposed legislation, whose objective is to increase recycling by 35% in 2012 and 45% by 2015.
“This rapidly expanding sector is particularly attractive to international investors. Around ten projects have been identified (not including energy production) by Invest in France Agency monitors. Four of these investment projects are led by foreign companies: Wellman France Recyclage at Verdun, Freudenberg Politex at Colmar, Amcor at Ste-Marie-la-Blanche (taken over by the Spanish La Seda company), Sorepla at Neufchâteau (Dutch Envipco group). The Spanish Urbaser group also operates in France through its subsidiary, Valorga, global leader in the field of methanization plant construction,” says Philippe Favre, President of Invest in France Agency.
To read the whole press release, please download the following PDF document.
ITER Cadarache (Provence, Alps, Côte d’Azur): Open tenders to scientists and suppliers from all over the world
France has had a high level of expertise in the global civil nuclear energy sector for more than 50 years: from natural uranium graphite gas reactors to new generation EPR reactors, and high pressure water reactors of which it has the largest installed plant in the world.
France is therefore the natural choice to host at Cadarache, the major center for energy research for the French atomic energy commission (“Commissariat français à l’énergie atomique”), the ITER project constructing an experimental nuclear fusion reactor using hydrogen isotopes. (...)
“The French government actively supports research and has introduced the best R&D tax credit system in Europe, which reimburses 50% of R&D costs in the first year. Its budget of over €1.4 billion in 2006 was increased to approximately €2 billion in 2008, following the reform introduced in 2007,” says Philippe Favre, President of Invest in France Agency.
To read the whole press release, please dowlnoad the PDF document below.
Cosmetics and perfumes: “Made in France” world market leader
The French market plays a leading role and generates future trends in the global cosmetics market due to the “Made in France” label that is recognized and valued worldwide.
In 2006, sales in France were up for the 40th year running, and reached the record level of €6,547 billion (FIPAR). Among the French companies that have a worldwide reputation are L’Oréal, the leading group worldwide ahead of US company Procter & Gamble and Anglo-Dutch company Unilever, Chanel, LVMH, Yves Rocher, Pierre Fabre Dermo Cosmétique, Clarins, and YSL-PPR. Leading pharmaceutical groups with large cosmetics divisions, such as Sanofi-Aventis and Johnson & Johnson, are major players in an industry that has always succeeded in combining both aesthetic objectives and public health requirements.
“The French government actively supports research and has introduced the best R&D tax credit system in Europe, which reimburses 50% of R&D costs in the first year. Its budget of over €1.4 billion in 2006 was increased to approximately €2 billion in 2008, following the reform introduced in 2007”, says Philippe Favre, President of Invest in France Agency.
To read the whole press release, please download the PDF document below.
New Motor Power in France: The Electric Car, or Mastering Clean Energy
Transport policy, designated a priority for the French government during the Grenelle Environment Round Table, is being revolutionized in France.
Research into fuel-power alternatives and the reduction of carbon-dioxide-emitting gases are leading to the development of electric-powered motors run on new generation batteries with high-energy density or electricity produced by combustible batteries. Combined with elaborate electronics, these batteries can provide a minimum range of approximately 150 km. French car manufacturers have been perfecting this process since the 1980s. (...)
“The French government has been supporting R&D heavily since January 1, 2008, with the best R&D tax credit system in Europe, which reimburses 50% of R&D costs in the first year. This credit, together with the eight innovative clusters dedicated to the automotive sector, are a boost to this industry, playing an important role in innovation and subcontracted research for industrial firms engaged in the development and production of new solutions,” affirms Philippe Favre, President of Invest in France Agency.
To read the whole press release, please download the PDF document below.
Contact
Invest in France Agency Paris
Cynthia ODSI
Press & PR
Send an e-mail
+33 1 40 74 74 15
Séverine DUMONTIER
Press relations
Send an e-mail
+33 1 40 74 73 88
Publications
- 10 Myths About France
[ppt - 555 Ko] - 10 Reasons to invest in France - Jan. 2008
[ppt - 2 Mo] - Doing Business in France
[pdf - 3 Mo] - The reality of international reports and scoreboards
[pdf - 1 Mo]