Alsace belongs to the « Golden Triangle » of European research. More than 8,100 employees work in the field of research and development. Thanks to Alsace’s universities, some 250 laboratories, the second largest CNRS research institute in France (boasting a staff of nearly 5000) and the INRA and INSERM research institutes, Alsace forms the third biggest cluster of scientific research establishments and laboratories in France.

The local cable internet network offers excellent coverage, facilitating communications between business and research bodies.

5 major competitiveness clusters are based in Alsace.

• The cluster « Alsace BioValley » :

This cluster focuses on biotechnological advances in the fields of life science and health, particularly via research into new drugs and medical equipment. This cluster is part of the tri-national BioValley network (Alsace, Baden and Northwest Switzerland).

• The « Véhicule du futur » cluster :

This cluster implements world-beating solutions to create the vehicles and transportation solutions of the future, in partnership with the Région Franche-Comté.

• The « Eau Alsace Lorraine » cluster :

The inter-regional cluster for water quality specialises in inland water quality and safeguarding the health of water users and ecosystems.

• The « Ecotechnologie » cluster :

This cluster carries out work into energy plus buildings.

• The « Fibres Grand Est » cluster :

Specialising in development and value-creation in the field of fibrous materials, adopting both a high-tech and an environmentally-friendly approach (wood, paper, textiles), in partnership with the region of Lorraine.

Numerous centres of excellence – here to help business.

In addition to these 5 clusters, Alsace boasts numerous centres of excellence : Pôle Chimie Alsace (chemicals), Pôle Textile Alsace (textiles), Pôle TIC Rhénatic (Information and communications technologies), Pôle technologie de l’image Iconoval (audiovisual, multimedia and image/vision-related industrial applications), Pôle Photonic Rhénaphotonics (optics and photonics), Pôle Matériaux et Nanosciences Alsace PMNA (materials and nanoscience), Pôle Aménagement de la Maison PAMA (interior fittings and furnishings).

Conectus Alsace* brings together all Alsace-based actors in the fields of research and innovation. This grouping aims to act as a link between public research bodies and the private sector, encouraging technology transfer and public-private partnerships.

*Conectus Alsace is made up of the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique – the National Centre for Scientific Research), the INSERM (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale – National Institute of Health and Medical Research), the INSA (Institut National des Sciences Appliquées – National Institute for Applied Sciences), the ENGEES (Ecole Nationale du Génie de l’Eau et de l’Environnement – National School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering ), the Unistra (Université de Strasbourg), the Université de Haute Alsace and the university teaching hospitals in Strasbourg.

The Agence Régionale de l’Innovation (Regional Innovation Agency) seeks to promote technology transfer from public and private sector service providers and suppliers (centres techniques (state-owned bodies focussing on industry-driven technological research) and research laboratories) to regional companies, encouraging businesses to adopt new technology in order to develop their capacity to innovate and boost their competitiveness.

Some major laboratories.

- Processus, Systèmes, Mulhouse (intelligent structures and machines)  Laboratoire de Physique et Mécanique Textiles, Mulhouse (textile engineering and fibre science)  Cetim-Cermat (Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques), Mulhouse (industrial analysis)  Laboratoire des Matériaux, Surfaces et Procédés pour la Catalyse, Mulhouse (Research into Catalysis)  Département de Photochimie Générale, Mulhouse (photochemistry)  Holo 3, Saint-Louis  Institut franco-allemand de recherches, Saint-Louis (Franco-German institute of research)  Inra, Colmar  Rittmo, Colmar

- Institut d’Electronique du Solide et des Systèmes, Strasbourg (electronics, solar energy, microsystems)  Institut de Chimie, Strasbourg (Institute of Chemistry)  Chimie Moléculaire, Strasbourg (molecular chemistry)  Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg (genetics, molecular and cell biology)  Centre de neurochimie, Strasbourg (neurochemistry)  Génétique moléculaire, génomique et microbiologie, Strasbourg (molecular genetics, genomics, microbiology)  Critt Matériaux Alsace, Schiltigheim (materials)  Département de Biologie et Génomique  Structurales, Illkirch (structural genomics and biology)  Laboratoire des Systèmes Photoniques, Illkirch (photonic systems)  Irepa Laser, Illkirch