- Market Info
Nouvelle Aquitaine, where innovation meets economic dynamism
Located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is France's largest region, covering 84,000 km² and home to over 6 million people. Its strategic location on a North-South European axis just 2 hours and 35 minutes by direct flight from Copenhagen, makes it an ideal gateway for Nordic companies seeking to expand into Europe. Over the past three years, the Region has attracted 309 international investment projects, creating or preserving over 7,677 jobs, underscoring its dynamic economy and business-friendly environment.
With a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is perfectly positioned and attractive for companies in strategic sectors such as batteries, healthcare, and the circular economy. Supported by proactive policies, innovative ecosystems and a network of local experts, Nouvelle-Aquitaine offers the ideal environment for businesses looking to thrive in a greener economy.
A Region at the Forefront of Sustainable Transition
One of Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s key strengths lies in its commitment to environmental sustainability. It has a wide range of objectives, including reducing water consumption in industry by 50%, improving water quality, and supporting companies in their energy efficiency and decarbonisation efforts. The region is also committed to eliminating disposable plastic packaging.
As one of the leading eco-responsible regions, it has launched the Neo Terra strategy to help businesses transition to more sustainable models. The region’s support for sustainable innovation has already benefitted over 33,000 companies since 2019. In 2022 alone, 130 million euros have been invested in innovation.
A focal point of this strategy is the circular economy, a principle at the heart of Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s strategy. Since 2019, the region has financially assisted over 700 companies in adopting circular practices.
This commitment is backed by national initiatives such as the C3IV tax credit, which provides up to €200 million in support for companies engaged in the green industrial transition in key sectors like batteries, solar panels, wind power, and heat pumps.
Read more about C3IV: France’s strategy to tackle climate change while fostering re-industrialisation: C3IV
Nouvelle Aquitaine, a leader in the battery industry
Nouvelle-Aquitaine is a key player in the energy transition, particularly within the growing battery sector. As part of France 2030, the country’s €54 billion national investment plan, Nouvelle-Aquitaine has become a hub for research, innovation, and production in the battery industry. The region is home to over 75 companies in this sector and is working towards building a European value chain for battery manufacturing.
The region’s highly developed ecosystem offers significant business opportunities across the entire battery value chain. This is further supported by the BATTENA program, which aims to train 35,000 workers by 2030 to support the industry’s growth. Through this program, Nouvelle-Aquitaine ensures that it has the skilled workforce needed to lead the development of tomorrow’s energy technologies.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine presents a unique opportunity for Nordic companies to tap into Europe’s rapidly expanding battery market while benefiting from a supportive innovation ecosystem.
Health: a dynamic sector embracing the green transition
In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the health sector is responsible of over 22,000 direct jobs and is an important pillar of the economy. The region is home to over 40 research laboratories dedicated to health in universities. This dynamic ecosystem is supported by the region with an annual regional investment of €25 to €30 million dedicated to health research. This makes Nouvelle Aquitaine an attractive location for companies focused on medical technologies, biotechnologies, and health innovation.
In 2021, the region launched the LOOP Santé program, France’s first regional initiative dedicated to supporting the ecological transition of the health industry. Since its launch, LOOP Santé has provided both financial and technical support to companies in the health sector, creating a favourable environment for investment. The LOOP Santé program brings together over 130 organisations, including 51 companies and 23 healthcare institutions. Nordic companies have already benefited from this programme, like Danish medical device manufacturer Ambu.The region’s commitment to innovation in health is also reinforced by the Alliance Innovation Santé Nouvelle-Aquitaine (ALLIS NA), a cluster of more than 250 manufacturers in the sector created to foster collaboration between industry, research, and healthcare professionals.
A Region that supports investment through proactive policies
Nouvelle-Aquitaine offers comprehensive support for companies looking to establish or expand their operations in key industries such as batteries, healthcare, and circular economy initiatives. The region provides technical assistance to help businesses navigate the complexities of setting up operations in a new market.
The Agency for Development and Innovation in Nouvelle Aquitaine (ADI) offers tailored support, including help with site selection, administrative procedures, identifying funding opportunities, and connecting with local networks of business experts. ADI’s team of 80 specialists works alongside the region’s network of partners to ensure that foreign investors have everything they need to succeed.
If you are interested in learning more about investment opportunities in Nouvelle-Aquitaine or would like to discuss your project, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Contact us to be connected with ADI Invest in Southwest France.
