With the support of Greater Lyon, two French chemical giants, Arkema and Rhodia, have joined forces with Suez, a major player in the environment, the CNRS (National Scientific Research Center and IFP (French Petroleum Institute) to bolster the leading position of the Lyon area and that of the wider Rhône-Alpes region in innovative and environmentally-friendly chemical development.

The Chemicals/Environment cluster is already in the European top 10. The aim is to raise its international profile in target technologies and to join the ranks of the top 5 within 10 years.