Enhance relations between the Nordics & France

Aiforia Technologies

Aiforia Technologies, a leader in AI-powered digital pathology, has chosen France and the Paris region for its first European AI hub outside of Scandinavia. The firm will deploy innovative digital pathology solutions for clinical use, supported by strategic collaborations with AP-HP (Paris Public Hospitals) and the Institut Curie. Based in Helsinki, Aiforia will expand its sales and customer support activities in France, while significantly increasing its local team. This move positions Aiforia at the forefront of the healthcare ecosystem, opening up opportunities with French hospitals, biotechnology firms and research institutions.

Essity

The world leader in hygiene and health products, has six industrial sites in France, including one based in Gien (Centre-Val de Loire). The Essity site in Gien specialises in the manufacture of paper hygiene products, such as toilet paper, kitchen towels and tissues, under the Lotus and Okay brands. Continuous innovation and investment in high-performance, environmentally friendly production tools are two major areas of focus for the site’s development. The group has invested €125 million over the last five years to increase the site’s production capacity and reduce its environmental footprint, in line with the Group’s Net Zero target for 2050. To support its growth, the site, which now has 570 employees, has welcomed 300 new employees in five years.

Cruncho Events

Established in Stockholm in 2015, Cruncho Events offers two innovative solutions: an event calendar management system and a personalised city guide, designed for local authorities, tourist offices and regional press. Winner of a call for projects from Atout France and the Ministry of Tourism for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024, Cruncho helps to limit tourist congestion by promoting the equitable distribution of tourist flows and sustainable practices. With the opening of an office in Paris, the company aims to roll out its solutions on the French market and plans to create around 20 jobs within three years.

Coloplast

A historic site for Coloplast’s urology division for 130 years, the Sarlat-la-Canéda site brings together the departments needed to develop new urology-related medical devices and industrialise them. It is a centre of excellence recognised worldwide for the quality of the products it develops. The group recently invested in the Sarlat site, positioning Coloplast as a competitive player that will supply high-performance products while limiting the carbon footprint associated with transport. This investment also enhances the value of jobs and skills in the heart of the Périgord Noir region. With this technological leap forward, Coloplast will be able to embark on a process of global rationalisation of its manufacturing flows by extending this modular automation approach to other products. The company is also running a number of other projects, such as replacing plastics with bio-based materials, digitising instructions and reducing packaging.

Selfback

The Danish company is developing a digital therapy for treating lower back pain. It has decided to set up in Paris to pursue its development in France: additional clinical studies in order to apply for permanent reimbursement via PECAN and market its solution. Selfback relies on local research and plans to recruit up to 10 people over the next three years. This Class I digital medical device, designed for the self-management of lower back pain, addresses a major public health issue: lower back pain, one of the main causes of activity limitation, sick leave and occupational disability.

Lorreta

The young Franco-Danish start-up, which grew out of research conducted at the renowned Technical University of Denmark, has chosen to set up in Chartres (Centre-Val de Loire) to develop its business with clients in the cosmetics and dermatology sectors in general. By establishing itself in the heart of Cosmetic Valley, the company aims to roll out its latest biometric analysis technologies. Ten jobs are planned over the next three years. By setting up in the heart of Cosmetic Valley, the company aims to deploy its brand new biometric analysis technologies. Ten jobs are planned over the next three years.