Technical success for pyrogasification tests

Transcription

1 January 10, 2008 THE LIFE OF CLUSTERS Technical success for pyrogasification tests The tests and trials performed over 6 months at the CVG Carbohydrate Utilisation Centre in Amiens on the experimental pyrogasification unit have confirmed the efficiency of Finaxo Environnement technology on beet vinasses, with even better results that were forecast. Pyrogasification is the ultra-rapid transfer of heat into the core of a substance in a vacuum thus enabling the organic matter to be burnt in order to obtain both gas, a source of utilizable energy, and fertilizer rich in potassium and trace-elements. This experimental pyrogasification unit is part of an approved project called Pyrobio Energy+ run jointly by Finaxo Environment, Téréos and the CVG in the Competitive Cluster: Industry & AgroRessources operated in the Picardie and Champagne Ardenne Region. The progress made by the tests on beet vinasse confirms the feasibility that an industrial-scale facility can obtain superior results to those predicted. The initial validation results indicate that the objective of Téréos Project Manager, Philippe Roux, to achieve a 20% energy saving and prevent 35,000 tons of carbon from the Origny distillery from being discharged into the atmosphere will be attained. Boosted by this success, Finaxo Environnement will be able to follow its program and perform tests on other types of biomass using the pilot unit. Thus phase 2 of the project with Téréos, leading to the implementation of an industrial-sized pyrogasification unit able to treat 5 tons of vinasse per hour, seems to be on track. The Industry and AgroRessources Cluster website: To find out more about the Pyrobio Energy+ project: The clusters governing associations tax arrangement On December , the General Directorate for Taxes published a rescript referenced RES N 2007/52 (FE) on their website that specifies the tax arrangement for the governing associations of competitive clusters and in particular, the rules applicable in terms of VAT and tax on salaries To consult this rescript on the Impots.gouv.fr website: ero=52

2 INTERNATIONAL Seminar on the trans-national technological partnerships between SMEs Last December 19th, a seminar was held on the subject of trans-national technological partnerships between SMEs. It was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affair s Bureau of Technological Innovation and Scientific Culture with the support of Oseo Innovation, and in collaboration with Ministry of Economy, Finance and Employment (General Directorate for Enterprise) the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (General Directorate for Research and Innovation), Ubifrance and Retis. 6 scientific departments from the French Embassy in Brazil, China, India, the United States, Russia and the Czech Republic were also represented. This seminar was designed as a tool to serve French SMEs; to assist them in their search for foreign partners for reasons of technological contribution as much as for sharing research costs. The participants (Institutions, companies, research organisms, economic development agencies and regional authorities) were able to acquaint themselves with the various support measures available for these partnerships, namely in the context of competitive clusters. Then, over numerous SME testimonies, they were able to debate the role of the network of attachés and scientific consultants working for the technological partnerships of the competitive clusters actors. These partnerships are called upon to develop, particularly in innovative sectors, and these various actors in liaison with the embassies should continue to be networked. Contact: Mme Françoise Nouvion (françoise.nouvion@diplomatie.fr) Technological partnerships between SMEs and Competitive Clusters project appeal The aim of this project appeal, launched at the end of April 2007 by the General Directorate for Enterprise (DGE), is to develop the methods of support for SMEs as they create their technological partnerships. This according to two axes: Bringing new SMEs belonging to competitive-clusters in on projects financed by community procedures, namely the Framework Program for Technological Research and Development (programme cadre de recherche et développement technologique or PCRDT in French) and Eureka Persuading the cluster SMEs to build technological partnerships with partners from outside the European Union. The DGE has received 43 application dossiers, of which 14 were retained (5 dossiers were submitted individually by competitive clusters, 4 were submitted on a collective basis by competitive clusters, and 5 were submitted on a national or regional basis), for a global sum of 2.35 million euros. Seven projects are specifically intended to encourage competitive cluster companies to participate in European programs: OSEO Innovation, the Parfums Aromes, Saveurs et Senteurs cluster (PASS), Mer Bretagne (Brittany sea) and Mer PACA (Provence-Alps-Côte d Azur sea) clusters, Lyon Urban Trucks and Buses cluster, Centre Technique des Industries Mécanique, Mediterranean technologies for 4 clusters in the PACA region, and the Agence Nationale de la recherche technologique. Two of the dossiers focus entirely on the implementation of bilateral partnerships: the Industry and AgroRessources cluster (United States, Canada, Japan, China and India) and the VIAMECA and MIPI clusters (Russia and CIS countries). Five of the dossiers focus on both the European and Bilateral axes: Dossier submitted jointly by the following clusters: Lyon Biopôle, Innovations thérapeutiques, Cancer Biosanté; the Systématic competitive cluster, the Cap Digital competitive cluster, the Foundation Sophia-

3 Antipolis and OSEO Aquitaine for the Southwest (of France) clusters. Finally, the number of SMEs touched by all of these projects should add up to around 2000 to 2500, bringing 135 new SMEs into PCRDT or Eureka programs and generating 60 international, bilateral technological partnerships. The countries targeted excluding Europe- are Brazil, Canada, China, South Korea, the United States, India, Israel, Japan, the Maghreb, Russia and CIS countries. Study on clusters in Japan and South Korea: training, perspectives and opportunities This study was launched in 2006 by the General Directorate for Enterprise (DGE) and performed by Jitex. It analyses the functioning of Japanese and Korean clusters by referring to the evolution of national policy on the matter in both countries. This document thus supports international prospecting and the decision for the authorities of the various French worldwide clusters, and those with a strong industrial and technological potential, for future partnerships in high added value sectors. Study may be downloaded in PDF format by clicking on the following link: KEY FIGURES 4000 SME cluster members Almost 5000 enterprise establishments, employing 640,000 employees are members of at least one competitive cluster. Among these companies, 4000 are SMEs. This data was collected by SESSI in 2007 during its characterisation enquiry of competitive clusters. To find out more, consult the competitive cluster indicator table at: REPORT 3 rd national competitive cluster day On December 12, 2007, M. Hervé Novelli, Secretary of State for Enterprise and Foreign Trade chaired the 3 rd national competitive cluster day organised by the General Directorate for Enterprise and the Inter-ministerial Delegation for Regional Planning and Competitiveness (DIACT) This event, which was held at the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Employment, united the competitive clusters governors and experts from the various ministries and agencies involved in cluster policy. It was an opportunity for constructive discussion between clusters and authorities. As well as discussing R&D projects, the big priority issues on which clusters must now work in order to secure their development were also discussed. Particular attention was paid to research and development platforms and on the clusters development of an international strategy. Furthermore, M. Novelli officially announced the start of the evaluation study to be performed on cluster policy and on the clusters themselves until The results of this study will enable the government to develop this policy and to update the support measures. M. Novelli s press release:

4 Slides presented throughout the day: Cluster indicator tables: PARTNERS General Directorate for Enterprise As part of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Employment, the General Directorate for Enterprise s role is to prepare and implement French policies to enhance innovation and competition between companies and to develop the information society within a European and International context. It is the privileged representative of companies; the industrial and service enterprise in particular. It draws on the network of Regional Directorates for Industry, Research and Environment (DRIRE) to implement its policy for economic development locally. The DGE was one of the main initiators of competitive cluster policy. Together with the Interministerial Delegation for Regional Planning and Competitiveness (DIACT) it implements this policy, the aim of which is to create synergies -within a given territory- between companies, public laboratories and training centres, based on projects of innovation that are formative and create both value and employment. It manages the fonds unique interministériel (FUI) (French Interministerial government fund) which supports research and development projects: the mainspring of the clusters dynamic and also launches the following project appeals (5 project appeals launched since the end of 2005, leading to 332 aid-receiving projects), while the DRIRE contribute to the financing of cluster government and management. Within the Interministerial Working Group (GTI), the DGE works particularly hard to develop an environment in which the clusters ecosystem may thrive and also to reinforce its own companies competitiveness through: strategy updates and cluster road maps, thematic and sector-related coordination, sharing good organisational practices, developing formative projects and collaborative R&D platforms, international development, forecasting the requirements in terms of competencies and human resources, patent rights and private financing for the growth of companies and clusters etc. Contacts: Mr. Fabrice Leroy (fabrice.leroy@industrie.gouv.fr), Mrs Fabienne Ragache (fabienne.ragache@industrie.gouv.fr), the DRIRE ( MEETINGS Two workshops at Bercy Two workshops, reserved for competitive clusters took place on January 22 nd 2008, at the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Employment - Pierre Mendes-France Conference Centre in Bercy, France: The morning covered Patent Rights in Clusters Registration with Mr. Laurent Weil (laurent.weill@industrie.gouv.fr) The afternoon addressed Making it easier for SMEs to join Clusters. Registration on the following site For more information consult the following site: Compétitivité.gouv.fr, heading Cluster Agendas : The ISTOK Project Presentation January , the Fondation Sophia Antipolis organised a meeting between Russian and European experts in the field of information technologies and communication.

5 This event, reserved uniquely for ITC players was an opportunity to present the ISTOK.Ru (7e PCRD). A European project, the main objective of which is to map out the competencies of key individuals in the sector and eventually to submit joint Russo European proposals to European financed Research programs. Meeting on January , at 8.30 at the Fondation Sophia Antipolis (Picasso room). Free entry enrolment necessary. Contact: M. Colin RUEL (ruel@sophia-antipolis.org). Information on et CeBIT 2008 wants to make green IT a major theme Cebit, the largest world fair devoted to the digital industry will take place in Hanover from March 4 to 9 with a special presentation by France entitled: Partner countries of the 2008 edition and a village devoted to green IT. CeBIT 2008 website: EVENTS Nano Tech February 2008 Tokyo (Japan) Aeromart April 2008 Montreal (Canada) Bengalore Bio April 2008 Bangalore (India) International Conference on Diesel Engines May 2008 Rouen (France) Eurodigimeet June 2008 Paris (France) Bio Internatonial Convention June 2008 San Diego (USA) CLUSTERS AGENDAS To find out more about the clusters agendas Click on the News heading on the Competitive Clusters Website.

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