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Chemical industry

The chemical industry is a pillar of the Alsatian economy. It stands out for its great diversity and supports many other industrial sectors by providing a wide range of products and services. There is a notable concentration of companies specializing in the manufacture of cosmetics and cleaning products, inorganic and organic chemistry, and pharmaceutical products.

Crédit photo : BASF

Research and development (R&D) also plays a major role, driven by companies in the sector and supported by the work of the University of Strasbourg, which has four active Nobel Prize winners in chemistry, as well as by the École nationale supérieure de Chimie de Mulhouse (ENSCMu).

195

companies

+11 000

employees

2è

largest exporting commercial sector

Chemistry, a century-old history in Alsace

The Alsatian chemical industry developed in the 19th century thanks to the convergence of several dynamics: the growth of the textile sector, advances in organic chemistry, and the rise of trade linked to increasing demand for hygiene and household products. Driven by the needs of the textile industry, dye chemistry took root in the Haut-Rhin between Thann and Basel, accompanied by the creation of a laboratory and specialized education, which led to the founding of the École supérieure de Chimie de Mulhouse, the first chemistry school in France, created in 1822.

Later, fine and pharmaceutical chemistry gained importance, attracting new industrial establishments due to the region’s geographical advantages and cross-border dynamics. The chemical fertilizer industry also developed, further enriching Alsace’s industrial landscape.

Characteristics of the sector

A diversified sector

The chemical sector in Alsace consists mainly of small businesses and about a dozen large companies with more than 100 employees, representing approximately half of the sector’s workforce.

The main branches present in Alsace are divided into the following segments:

Crédit photo : Tronox

Bioeconomy

Bioeconomy is an economy that moves away from fossil resources, relying instead on local, renewable biomass produced sustainably, within a circular economy logic. It enables more complete valorization of biomass and improves the economic competitiveness of agriculture and forestry.

The Grand Est Region has abundant biomass resources, and their use has especially developed in non-food sectors, mainly in plant-based chemistry, bioenergy, bio-based materials, and new agricultural inputs.

For the chemical sector, we can mention:

  • Solvay: production of chemical products in the field of materials in Chalampé, for formulation
  • Roquette, Beinheim: world leader in plant-based ingredients, major factory in Alsace for cereal processing and bio-based production

Main actors established in Alsace

Cartography in progress

France Chimie Grand Est

As the sector’s spokesperson to public authorities, France Chimie Grand Est brings together chemical and parachemical companies from Alsace and Lorraine. The following expertise is offered to members:

Website: www.chimie-grandest.fr

WEurope by Alsachimie

125

hectares

160

direct jobs

4000

indirect jobs

Weurope is an industrial and economic platform located in southern Alsace, focused on the chemical sector. It offers new businesses access to land, equipment, utilities, and expertise, as well as supplies of raw materials and processes.

The Chalampé Industrial Platform provides international connectivity through a multimodal transport network:

Weurope hosts 4 companies for now:

Crédit photo : Alsachimie

ZiBac: a convention for low-carbon industry

Five companies, signatories of the ZiBac convention, commit to a shared trajectory of CO2 emissions reduction by implementing innovative solutions and pooling infrastructure and investments among industrial players.

Research institutes and laboratories

CNRS

A major player in fundamental research on a global scale, the CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields.

In Alsace, all scientific disciplines are covered by research conducted in CNRS laboratories, in cooperation with higher education and research institutions, national and international research organizations, and partner companies.

The CNRS is affiliated with the main higher education and research institutions in Alsace: University of Strasbourg, University of Haute-Alsace, Inserm, INSA, and the Franco-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis…

Discover here the 11 laboratories affiliated with CNRS Institutes in Alsace

Institut Carnot MICA

The Institut Carnot MICA is a public research organization that supports companies in their R&D projects. The institute specializes in functional materials, surfaces and interfaces, and associated processes, from fundamental research to industrial application.

With the synergy of its 18 member structures, MICA offers a comprehensive scientific portfolio, supported by a network of cutting-edge equipment and high-tech platforms. The institute provides companies with a dedicated contact person who assists them throughout their project.

Other institutes

Crédit photo : BASF

Technology transfer

SATT Conectus

Conectus is one of 13 French SATTs (Technology Transfer Acceleration Company). It serves as a vital link between public research laboratories in Alsace and businesses, helping companies access the right research resources while promoting collaboration between these two sectors and driving innovation in France.

SATT Conectus invests in innovative research projects to facilitate their market entry, and manages partnership agreements between public laboratories and businesses. Its efforts are firmly rooted in the scientific excellence of the laboratories based in the Alsace region.

KTUR²

Driven by EUCOR, a trinational campus bringing together French, German, and Swiss universities, the Knowledge Transfer Upper Rhine 2 (KTUR²) project offers companies privileged access to innovation and cutting-edge technologies by focusing on several strategic areas in the Upper Rhine region.

Thus, 12 universities from three different countries are mobilizing their research units to build a bridge between academia and the business world, in order to foster innovation in the region.

Crédit photo : Recipharm

Higher education and research

The chemistry division of the University of Strasbourg

The chemistry research cluster at the University of Strasbourg operates at the crossroads of biology, physics, medicine, and materials science. It is home to the only Advanced Thematic Research Network (RTRA) in France dedicated to chemistry. Comprising 80 research teams and a total of 1,000 researchers and faculty members, its research is structured around three main areas: Future Materials, Sustainable Development, and Health.

Crédit photo : Catherine Schroder – Unistra

Other higher education sites in Alsace

Learn more about higher education in Alsace:

Universities and programs