In France

France's chemical industry is the fifth largest in the world, after the United States, Japan, Germany and China, occupying a key position as the third largest exporter worldwide. Transforming energy and raw materials into a wide range of materials and products, the chemical industry plays a strategic role in the French economy. With revenue of about €100bn it is the second largest industrial sector, after the automotive industry. 

 

In Rhône-Alpes region

Rhône-Alpes is France's top centre for chemical production, as well as having 20% of its researchers and 25% of research expenditure. Major international groups such as Rhodia, Arkema, Total or Institut Français du Pétrole have located their R&D centres in the Lyon area,  close to their industrial facilities. In all the staff of these centres numbers about 1,000 people. 

 

Assets of Grenoble-Isère chemistry

The chemical industry in Grenoble-Isère employs 6,700 people. From the elaboration of basic products to the output of products derived from fine chemicals, Grenoble-Isère is represented in all the activities making up the chemical industry, with longstanding experience of risk management. The presence of three major complexes (Pont de Claix, Jarrie and Les Roches-Roussillon) means it is possible safely to accommodate companies whose activities are classified under the Seveso directive or subject to legislation on classified facilities.

Most of the leading players in chemicals are represented in Grenoble-Isère, along with a wide range of dynamic, innovative small and medium-sized companies. Some products are very well positioned in the European and international markets. This is the case, in particular, for acetylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, lubricants for underground operations, and zirconium sponges.

The Grenoble area can offer considerable well-established expertise in chlorine, phosgene and isocyanate chemistry. Pont de Claix is France's top centre for phosgenation.
The Rhône valley and Northern Isère offer a wide diversity of activities: sulphur-based chemistry, phosphates, silicones, phenol, etc.

Players

 Pont-de-Claix chemical complex

The Pont-de-Claix chemical complex, located in the south of the Grenoble urban area, was built for chlorine production. It deploys advanced techniques to carry out chlorination, hydrogenation, phosgenation and isocyanate chemistry (polyurethanes).

Key figures

•  1,300 direct jobs
•  5,000 indirect jobs
• €700m revenue
• 1m tonnes of raw materials used
• €100m invested recently
• 2 phosgenation units

Main companies operating on complex: Rhodia, Air Liquide, Lyondell, Teris, Isochem.

Shared services
The Pont de Claix complex provides support for companies working in chemicals, plastics and para-chemistry, in addition to a range of shared services:

• provision of industrial land suitable for activities covered by the Seveso directive
• products available "on-tap":
• incinerator for by-products.

 

Jarrie chemical complex

The Jarrie chemical complex is located 15km south of Grenoble in an exceptional environment. The firms operating there contribute to maintaining and developing the region's industrial and economic fabric.

Key figures

• 907 direct jobs
• 220 jobs in outside companies working on the complex
• 4,000 indirect jobs
• €700m revenue
• Average annual investment exceeding €10m (not including investment in safety and the environment)

Main companies operating on complex: Air Liquide, Areva, Arkema, RSA Le Rubis

 

Shared services

• 100 hectares of industrial land suitable for activities covered by the Seveso directive, of which 75 ha is already developed.
• A railway branch line (Jarrie station)
• Energy and other utilities supplied (nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, natural gas, water, chlorine).
• Pooling of certain activities (health and safety, fire service).

Roche-Roussillon chemical complex

The Roches-Roussillon chemical complex is located in the Rhône valley, between Lyon and Valence, between northern and southern Europe. It is currently enjoying rapid growth, with a wide variety of chemicals produced (phenol, sulphur, phosphates, methionine, silicone intermediates, etc.). It is well served by a range of infrastructures (motorway, railway, river).

Key figures

• 1,550 jobs
• €400m invested in five years
• 80 years' existence
• 16 companies operating on site
• 150 hectares

Main companies operating on complex: Rhodia Acetol, Rhodia Intermédiaires, Rhodia Silicones, Rhodia PPMC, Novapex, Celanese, Adisseo, Degussa, Prayon, Teris, Air Liquide and Gambro

Centralized services: Osiris

Osiris provides support for companies working in chemicals, plastics and para-chemistry, in addition to a range of shared services:

• provision of industrial land suitable for activities covered by the Seveso directive or subject to legislation on classified establishments, fitted with direct access to energy, utilities and waste treatment,,
• technical and administrative support for obtaining permits,
• supply of energy and utilities (nitrogen, compressed air, hydrogen, acetylene, natural gas, propylene, water) and shared services (security, environment, healthcare, logistics, maintenance, design office, computing, inspection, laboratory analysis, etc.).

Your AEPI contact : Emmanuelle SEMET

 

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