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It integrates fiber creation and upstream chemistry for their transformation into eco-materials and high-performance materials for the health, transport and aerospace, construction and the environment sectors. It thus units the four processing industries (Textile & Non-Woven Fabric, Paper & Cardboard, Wood, and Composites), around Specialty Chemistry (generation of fibers and polymers, treatments of fibers and fibrous materials).

Taking into account the intrinsic qualities of fibers (lightness and multi-functionality), the Sustainable Development theme is very important in the Fibers cluster. The Grenelle Environmental Law will create many opportunities for fibrous materials in the transport sectors (including automobile and aerospace) as well as in the construction industry. For more traditional applications, the law will make it possible for companies to position themselves as leaders in their markets thanks to eco-design.

The main players of the Fibers cluster have outlined 3 primary objectives:

• Eco-materials

- To substitute fibrous materials for other more energy consuming technologies at the time    of their production or use.
- To develop new applications for fibers and new processes
- To develop new high efficiency or bio-renewable fibers
- To create a “green” chemistry based on wood, the polymer sources and components

• Responsible management

- Eco-design is a major focus (reach, new market opportunities, new applications etc.)
- Optimize production procedures in the spirit of sustainable development
- Recycle production waste
 -Organize the collection of fibrous materials at the end of their lifespan and recycle the materials

• Targeted applications: from man to planet

Advantages

Privileged location in the center of Europe, border zone with Germany, the Benelux countries and Switzerland

No. 1 University research cluster in Chemistry – polymer chemistry, wood chemistry, and carbon chemistry

Strong presence and involvement of a large fabric of small- and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) and subsidiary companies of groups, on the key processing themes: textile, non-woven fabrics, composite, wood panels, paper/cardboard

Network of suppliers in upstream specialty chemistry and dedicated equipment suppliers

Strong regional industrial concentration, facilitating the integration of fibrous materials in the automobile and health sectors.

Very strong involvement and investments from the regional communities in the emergence of the sustainable habitat/construction and renewable energy (both strong demanders of fibrous material solutions)

Emergence of a natural fibers sector notably, hemp

The Lorraine and Alsace regions and the Fiber sector

Companies and Jobs    55,000  jobs
More than 2,500 enterprises

National rankings for industrial activities   
- No. 1 production area for non-woven technical textiles
- No. 1 production region of cotton fiber textiles
- No. 1 production area of Paper & Cardboard (25% of  national production)
- Largest forest in France
- No. 1 production region for wood panels  & storage area for the 5 largest sawmills
- No. 1 production area for technical fibers except carbon fibers
- Strong integration with health and automobile sector opportunities - among the top 3 production zones

Research
More than 2,000 researchers in 5 research centers and INRA & CNRS
and 20 centers for technology transfer
Implementation of a platform/network Bio-source polymers Fibers

Members

More than 270 members in the cluster (as of March 1, 2008)
Companies:  Over 210,  of which around 80% are SME
•    French companies including: Arkema, Cuisines Schmidt, Papeteries de Clairefontaine, Soprema, Parisot etc.
•    International companies including: Alsthrom Labelpack (Sseden), Norske Skog (Norway),  UPM Kymmene (Finland), Steelcase (USA), Paul Hartmann (Germany), Albany (USA), Kemira (Finland), Egger (Austria), Performance Fibers (Luxemburg), Freudenberg (Germany) etc.
•    Small- and medium-sized industrial firms including: Kermel, Rhovyl, Bergère de France, Mathis, Schappe, Innothera, Jacob Holm, Tissus Gisèle etc.

Research and Educational Institutions: More than 8 centers of fundamental research including:
-    Nancy-Université (Université Henri Poincaré, Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine)
-    Université de Haute-Alsace, Mulhouse (including ENSISA)
-    Université Louis Pasteur (Strasbourg)
-    Université Paul Verlaine (Metz)
-    Institut Saint Louis, ENGREF
-    and centers INRA, CNRS
Spinal Fiber Campus organizations, Chemistry cluster of  Strasbourg, Textile Mulhouse Campus

Applied research: Wood processing sectors (CRITT Bois), Textiles and flexible materials (Cetelor, IFTH), Papers & Cardboard (CTP), Composites (CRITT Apollor, Pôle Plasturgie de l’Est, Plastinnov, CETIM -CERMAT) and on related themes (CRITT Matériaux, Agria Lorraine, CLTS, Alphea, Adec, Rhenaphonotics, Icar, Irepa-Laser, Rittmo, Cirtes, Holo3, ISL etc.)

Education: Regional university centers Nancy-Université (Université Henri Poincaré, Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine), Université of Haute Alsace, Université Louis Pasteur, Université Paul Verlaine, écoles d’ingénieur (L,M,D) specialized in the wood sector (ENSTIB), textiles (ENSISA), chemistry (ENSIC, ENSCMu, ECPM etc.) Professional training centers are available for each branch. The Fibres Grand Est cluster also lends support to training programs (ex: professional licenses), and provides various skill development programs (ex: CIM-ECO for Eco Design).

Current R&D project partnerships

At the end of the first half of 2008, 60 projects were certified by the Fibres Grand Est cluster, representing approximately 60 million euros of investment. Sources of financing sought were: FUI, ANR, OSEO, ADEME, FEDER, and regional funds etc.

International cooperation

Current:
•    Installation of a network on the habitat theme with European regions in proximity (Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium)
•    Convention signed with the fiber cluster of Quebec
•    Partnership with the German technical centers of Bade Wurtemberg
•    Co-operation with German, Czech and Finnish clusters
•    University co-operation with Georgia Tech in the United States

Future
•    Partnerships with enterprises in several countries: Germany, Scandinavia, United States
•    Partnership with Tomsk, Russia

Appendix- Selected certified R&D projects

• More information Fibres Grand Est cluster