There are many development options to be explored, such as reducing weight, adding strenght and improving resistance to corrosion. But manufacturers are also looking for activities that yield higher added value while meeting sustainable development criteria. They must keep pace with changing consumer demands and take into account overall costs.

Development follows two main trends: one involves improving conventional products such as glass, steel, non-ferrous metals and plastics; the other draws on progress in specialist applications to develop new products for mass markets.

24,200 jobs

•  Industry: 20,500 jobs
• Higher education: 6,500 students
• Research: 3,700 jobs

Special papers: 4,000 industrial jobs

Natural and synthetic fibers, paper nature, technical paper, means of productions, ...

Players: Arjowiggins, Ahlstrom paper group, Matussière & Forest, ...
Publication: download the publication, METIS

Technical polymers: 5,000 industrial jobs

Starting from the production of chlorine, the sector encompasses industrial production of colourings, rubbers and processing of high-added-value plastics.

Players: Polimeri, Rexam, Multibase
Publication: download the publication

Advanced cements: 1,000 industrial jobs

Minéralogy, formulation, physical tests, fibre contributions, ...

Players: Balthazard & Cotte, Vicat, Lafarge, ...
Publication: download the publication

Technical textiles: 2,000 industrial jobs

Fibers mixing (glass, carbon, aramid)reinforcement and protection textile

Players: Hexcel, Porcher, Mermet, ...
Publication : download the publication, METIS, Techtera

Metals and alloys: 4,000 industrial jobs

Powder metallurgy, various alloys, magnets, aluminium, zirconium, ...

Players: Ugimag, Federal mogul, Eurotungstene, Sandvik, Pechiney/Alcan, Ascometal, Cezus, ...
Publication: download the publication

Ceramics and synthetic crystals: 5,500 industrial jobs

Silicium, SOI, multicrystalline silicium, optical fibers, sapphire monocrystals, pyrocarbon implants, ...

Players: STMicroelectronics, Soitec, Saint-Gobain cristaux & détecteurs, Teem photonics, Photowatt, RSA le rubis, ...
Publication: download the publication

Research and higher education

Research laboratories at the forefront of innovating technologies
Higher education adapted to these new activities

Publication: download the publication