|
French nanotech
boosted by best research tax credit in Europe
Other Topics:
Nanotechnology Trade Fair
Invest in France Agency
May 19, 2008
London, UK -- Support for electronic and medical
nanotechnologies continues to be a priority for France. The
government has put in place the best research tax credit in
Europe for the sector’s R&D activities, so that 50% of R&D
costs can be reimbursed during the first year.
In the past two years, attention has been focused on
nanotechnologies in France. There are now numerous
top-ranking companies and major competitive clusters in this
sector. They include Minalogic in Grenoble (with LETI and
STMicroelectronic) and System@tic, the Provence-Alpes-Côte
d’Azur secure-communication solutions cluster. Academic
research centres such as LETI also offer a wide range of
skills in nanotechnologies. |
|
Several key global companies have emerged in
France’s micro-electronics sector. They include
telecommunications operators (France Telecom), telecoms
hardware manufacturers and service suppliers (Alcatel, Sagem),
and smart-card manufacturers (Gemalto, Oberthur, ASK).
Many foreign companies in the nanotechnology field have also
chosen France in order to establish their industrial and
research activities (NXP, Atmel, Freescale, Renesas). This
is as a result of France’s first-class training centres,
public-sector research facilities and private-sector
companies already working in nanotechnology.
In October 2007, NXP inaugurated its global R&D division for
semiconductor miniaturisation and its new headquarters in
Caen (Normandy). Monolothic Power, ranked by Deloitte as one
of the fastest-growing companies in Silicon Valley, opened
its headquarters in Bernin-Crolles (Isère) in January 2007.
Finally, BOC Edwards, from the Linde group, has transferred
its headquarters from London to Grenoble, in order to be
closer to its customers in the electronics sector and to
better recruit top-level experts across the region.
Philippe Favre, President of the Invest in France Agency,
says, “Microelectronics illustrates the continuing striving
for innovation. R&D costs represent around 15% of turnover,
and production-line updates to keep abreast of technological
developments represent an investment of around 20% of
turnover.”
About the Invest in France Agency
The Invest in France Agency (IFA) promotes and facilitates
international investment in France. The IFA network operates
worldwide. IFA works in partnership with regional
development agencies to offer international investors
business opportunities and customized services all over
France. |
