Chemicals and environment
Discover the birthplace of green chemistry and low-carbon technologies: from research to industrialization
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The chemicals and environment sector.
A heartland of chemistry since the 19th century, Lyon and its region benefit from an exceptional density of private and public research centers, making it a global hub for the development of low-carbon technologies. Backed by a structured ecosystem, the region offers rare opportunities in Europe for start-ups, SMEs, mid-sized companies and large groups, particularly in Chemical Valley.
No. 1
French region for chemical production
No. 1
French region for plastic and composite production
2,500
researchers and 8 R&D centers in Chemical Valley
Specialized sectors.
Recovery of waste and by-products
With its history of chemical, plastic and composite production, the Lyon region is now fully oriented towards future transitions and the recovery of materials (metals, biomass, plastics, textiles)
Eco-efficient processes
The Lyon region is home to leaders in optimizing transformation processes to make them more sustainable (less waste, less energy) with unique expertise in catalysis and data/AI.
Leading companies in the area
A key public player tasked with developing new low-carbon technologies (recycling, bio-based molecules, CO2 capture, biofuels, etc.) and industrialization through its subsidiary Axens.
A world leader in specialty chemicals, the group designs and produces advanced sustainable materials in the Lyon region, home to its largest global research center.
An international player specializing in environmental activities, the group designs and implements innovative solutions for waste management, recovery and decontamination, actively contributing to the ecological transition.
Global multi-energy group committed to carbon neutrality, active in the Lyon region with an R&D center and a refinery.
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Reasons to invest in Lyon and its region.
Access the best talent
Lyon and its region have an unrivaled pool of engineers and technicians trained by top-ranked schools (CPE, INSA, ITECH, IUT Lyon 1). Attracting, recruiting and retaining your R&D and industrial teams in the chemical and environment sectors is easy in such an attractive region, rich in the skills you need for your development.
Industrialize your innovations
Leverage a complete ecosystem of globally recognized subcontractors, integrators, and R&D centers. Your chemical and environmental projects, from low-carbon technologies to hydrogen, can be made production-ready quickly in shared laboratories and facilities that are rare in Europe (Axel’One, ADChem4, Syensqo).
Invest in a strategic region
Access scarce land, targeted grants (CIR, JEI, France 2030, etc.) and active political support. The Lyon region facilitates partnerships, accelerates responsible projects and offers ideal accessibility for managing your investments with confidence.
Iconic places.
Chemical Valley
A historic center for the chemicals industry since the 1850s, Chemical Valley (Vallée de la Chimie) is now among France’s largest industrial platforms. Located to the south of Lyon, it stretches over approximately 2,000 hectares, covering three municipalities in the Lyon urban area. This strategic area is the focus of a leading R&D, innovation, and industrial production ecosystem based around the chemical, energy, environment and so-called “greentech” sectors, i.e. technologies involving innovations and processes that use natural and bio-based resources.
Industrial platform
Axel’One
9,000 m² of space dedicated to collaborative innovation in advanced materials and innovative processes in the chemical, environmental and energy sectors. Located on three interconnected sites at the heart of the Lyon urban area, the platform offers turnkey laboratories, hundreds of shared tools and an on-site R&D team to support your projects.
Laboratory
Parc Industriel de la Plaine de l’Ain
Turnkey land from 2,000 m² to 15 hectares available for sale in an industrial area: no zoning problems, immediate availability and a single price of €70/m². The Plaine de l’Ain industrial park (PIPA) is an easily accessible and well-connected area, with highway links (A6-A7, A39, A40, A42, A43) giving access to Lyon in 35 minutes and Geneva in an hour.
District
Materi’Act
Forvia’s global center of excellence for sustainable materials. An iconic building located at the heart of the LyonTech–La Doua university campus in Villeurbanne. 2,000 m² of office space available and a specific hosting offer for start-ups within the Materi’Act Hub.
Incubator
Circulyz
About 10 hectares of land under development by the Lyon metropolitan authority in Feyzin, in the heart of Chemical Valley, dedicated to industrial companies in the chemicals, energy and environment sectors promoting the environmental transition and the regeneration of existing productive activities.
Industrial eco-parkCompanies that have chosen the Lyon region.
The eight sectors of excellence.
