![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alsace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Photo-2-BASF.jpg\")
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 \u00c9cole nationale sup\u00e9rieure de Chimie de Mulhouse (ENSCMu).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n 195 <\/p>\n
\n companies <\/p>\n <\/div>\n
\n 11,000 <\/p>\n
\n employees <\/p>\n <\/div>\n
\n 2nd<\/sup> <\/p>\n \n largest exporting commercial sector <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n 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 \u00c9cole sup\u00e9rieure de Chimie de Mulhouse, the first chemistry school in France, created in 1822. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Later, fine and pharmaceutical chemistry gained importance, attracting new industrial establishments due to the region\u2019s geographical advantages and cross-border dynamics. The chemical fertilizer industry also developed, further enriching Alsace\u2019s industrial landscape. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019s workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main branches present in Alsace are divided into the following segments:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the chemical sector, we can mention:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the sector\u2019s 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: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Website: www.chimie-grandest.fr<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \n 125 <\/p>\n \n hectares <\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n 160 <\/p>\n \n direct jobs <\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n 4,000 <\/p>\n \n indirect jobs <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chalamp\u00e9 Industrial Platform provides international connectivity through a multimodal transport network:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weurope hosts 4 companies for now: <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A major player in fundamental research on a global scale, the CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Discover here<\/a> the 11 laboratories affiliated with CNRS Institutes in Alsace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Institut Carnot MICA<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Driven by EUCOR, a trinational campus bringing together French, German, and Swiss universities, the Knowledge Transfer Upper Rhine 2 (KTUR\u00b2) project offers companies privileged access to innovation and cutting-edge technologies by focusing on several strategic areas in the Upper Rhine region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more about higher education in Alsace:<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSummary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Chemistry, a century-old history in Alsace<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Characteristics of the sector<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A diversified sector<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alsace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Tronox1.jpg\")
Bioeconomy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Main actors established in Alsace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alsace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Carto-alsace-entreprise-chimie-EN-1024x1008.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFrance Chimie Grand Est <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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WEurope by Alsachimie<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alsace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/alsachimie-couv-890x400-1.jpg\")
ZiBac: a convention for low-carbon industry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Research institutes and laboratories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
CNRS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Institut Carnot MICA<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Other institutes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alsace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Photo-BASF.jpg\")
Technology transfer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
SATT Conectus <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
KTUR\u00b2 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alsace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/RECIPH1-1024x683.jpg\")
Higher education and research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The chemistry division of the University of Strasbourg<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.alsace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Classement-inge-ECPM-3-1024x683.jpg\")
Other higher education sites in Alsace<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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