Industrial decarbonization: an international delegation welcomed to the South of France

On October 23 and 24, the Platform for Industry and Innovation at Caban Tonkin (PIICTO) in the Aix-Marseille metro area and risingSUD welcomed a delegation of eight international companies (including three tech companies) from the United States, Canada, Norway, and the Netherlands to discuss carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Decarbonizing industry in the South of France is an essential strategic challenge to achieve carbon neutrality in the Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region by 2050.

Manufacturers in the industrial zone around the Port of Marseille Fos have launched a collective initiative, the SYRIUS program, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. This zone emits more than 19 million tonnes of CO2 per year, placing it second in France behind the Dunkirk industrial area.

Led by PIICTO, SYRIUS is aiming to make the local territory more attractive by fostering economic development and attracting new stakeholders and companies to boost the competitiveness of regional value chains.

After a pre-analysis of technological specifications conducted by PIICTO to assess the needs of the industrial stakeholders, a total of 30 one-to-one meetings were held during the visit of the international delegation. Fifteen regional companies and support structures, including the Port of Marseille Fos, the Capenergies cluster, and the Novachim cluster, were on hand to present development opportunities and prospects.

In recent years there has been €4 billion of investment in decarbonization at existing sites and €8 billion planned for new projects by 2030.

A number of confidentiality agreements are about to be signed so that carbon emitters can have access to all the information required to make the right decisions. Industry representatives have also been instrumental in identifying possible targets for international prospecting so that more forward-looking companies invest in the region.

As a pilot region for environmental planning, the Region Sud is fully committed to the decarbonization of industry.

risingSUD contacts: Nathalie OHAYON, International Project Manager  for Renewable Energies & the Blue Economy & David LAURENT, International Project Manager for Industry & Tech