Sustainable materials
Innovative sustainable materials to accelerate the low-carbon transition
Contact an expert
The sustainable materials sector.
Lyon is an innovation hub for sustainable materials. From bio-based chemicals to plastic recycling, CO₂ capture and specialty polymers, the Lyon region is home to manufacturers, start-ups and research centers developing concrete, competitive solutions for low-carbon technologies
Leading companies in the area
Europe’s leading producer of 100% bio-based ingredients derived from biomass, the company offers sustainable alternatives to petroleum derivatives for food, cosmetics and chemicals.
Automative equipment manufacturer Forvia’s global center of excellence dedicated to the development of low-carbon materials for mobility.
World-class academic laboratory dedicated to polymer processes and materials, and especially recycling.
A center of excellence in chemistry and materials, IRCELYON supports industrial and academic innovation, from basic research to pilot production, to develop solutions that are both effective and sustainable.
Expert in plastic transformation through injection and extrusion.
Let’s talk about your project!
Reasons to invest in Lyon and its region.
Develop your talents
Lyon and its Chemical Valley offer an unrivaled pool of engineers and technicians trained by prestigious schools (CPE, INSA, ITECH, IUT Lyon 1). Recruiting and retaining your R&D and industrial teams is easy in such a dynamic area, conducive to innovation in chemicals, the environment and sustainable materials, and equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories to support your projects.
Turn your innovations into production
Benefit from a complete ecosystem of industrial partners, R&D centers and specialized laboratories. Your projects in chemistry, low-carbon technologies, hydrogen and sustainable materials can be industrialized quickly thanks to shared facilities that are rare in Europe, such as Axel’One, ADChem4 and Syensqo.
Invest in a strategic, dynamic region
Benefit from strategic land, attractive financial mechanisms (CIR, JEI, France 2030) and active political support. The Lyon region facilitates collaboration, accelerates responsible projects and offers an ideal environment for managing your investments in chemicals, the environment and sustainable materials with complete peace of mind.
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.
DistrictCompanies that have chosen the Lyon region.
The eight sectors of excellence.
