With eight sites designated as “France 2030 Ready-to-Use Sites” — the highest number of any French region — as well as recognized competitiveness clusters such as AKTANTIS and SAFE, and major flagship programs such as SYRIUS in the Fos–Étang de Berre area, the South Region provides investors with a comprehensive ecosystem to design, manufacture, and scale up industrial production.
At a glance
Why choose the South of France to set up an industrial site?
The South of France combines industrial land availability, technological density and public support for productive transformation projects. Three key strengths define this positioning.
Key figures
Turnkey sites to fast-track industrial set-up
With 8 sites certified under France 2030, the South of France has the highest number of turnkey industrial sites in France. These sites, nearly 60% of which are repurposed brownfield land at a national level, offer a high degree of regulatory and land-use readiness.
A structured technology and digital ecosystem
The territory underpins its industrial projects with recognised competitiveness clusters. AKTANTIS (formerly SCS) brings together 300 members in microelectronics and digital systems, supporting 360 projects worth €1.5 bn in R&D in 2024. SAFE brings together over 500 stakeholders in aerospace, space, security and defence.
An attractive environment for talent
Proximity to Marseille-Provence and Nice-Côte d'Azur international airports, leading higher education institutions (Aix-Marseille University, Université Côte d'Azur, Centrale Méditerranée), and a Mediterranean lifestyle: key factors for recruiting engineers and technicians.
How does the territory ensure connectivity and industrial expertise?
The South of France structures its industrial policy around two key pillars: a world-class industrial-port zone and specialised competitiveness clusters.
The Fos-Étang de Berre industrial hub and the SYRIUS programme
The Fos-Étang de Berre zone is one of France's leading industrial-port platforms. The SYRIUS programme, led by the South of France region, supports decarbonisation and modernisation of industrial sites. Phase 2 (2026-2028), with €16M including €6M from the State, targets energy efficiency, flow pooling and new industrial loops.
AKTANTIS: microelectronics and digital systems competitiveness cluster
AKTANTIS – the name adopted in November 2024, replacing the SCS cluster – brings together 300 members (485 companies and 171 laboratories in the wider scope). It supported 360 projects in 2024 representing €1.5 bn in R&D, covering microelectronics, IoT, embedded AI and cybersecurity.
What are the sectors of excellence in future industry?
The future industry sector in the South of France is organised around five target markets, supported by structuring competitiveness clusters and a dense industrial base.
Security and defence industries
The SAFE Cluster brings together over 500 members in security and defence. Naval Group employs around 4,300 people in the Var department, while Thales and MBDA are established in the Alpes-Maritimes. The sector accounts for approximately 26,000 regional jobs.
Optics and photonics
Historically structured around the Optitec cluster (now integrated into AKTANTIS since 2023), the regional photonics sector brings together around 130 companies specialising in imaging, lasers and optical sensors.
Chemicals, plastics and materials
The Berre-Fos-Martigues petrochemical complex (INEOS, Arkema, TotalEnergies) is one of France's main chemical hubs. The regional plastics industry comprises around 200 companies and 3,500 employees.
Aerospace and space
The South of France is France's 4th aerospace and space cluster. Airbus Helicopters in Marignane (around 9,000 on-site employees) and Thales Alenia Space in Cannes (around 2,000 employees) anchor an ecosystem of some 250 companies and over 25,000 jobs. The SAFE cluster supports this sector alongside defence.
Metallurgy and steel
ArcelorMittal Méditerranée in Fos-sur-Mer, France's 2nd largest steel site, employs around 2,500 direct staff and 1,200 permanent subcontractors. The site generates over 7,500 indirect jobs in the region.
What industrial land opportunities are available?
The South of France offers a portfolio of turnkey sites, Territoires d'Industrie zones and repurposed brownfield land suited to productive projects.
| Zone | Specialisation | Key assets |
|---|---|---|
| Arkema Saint-Auban (Château-Arnoux) | Chemicals, Energy and Heavy industry | Steam access (233 MWh), on-site rail and upper-tier SEVESO classification. |
| Technopôle de la Mer (Ollioules) | Defence, Security and Drones | Unique ecosystem with 19 R&D laboratories and CNRS/IFREMER research centres. |
Explore all available business sites
risingSUD: your strategic partner for industrial set-up
risingSUD, the South of France's economic development agency, supports industrial project developers throughout their set-up journey. Our dedicated expert, Yannick Haby, assists with:
- Sourcing qualified industrial land (8 turnkey sites).
- Accessing regional funding schemes (Terra Nea Fund, AFR incentives).
- Connecting with competitiveness clusters (AKTANTIS, SAFE).
- HR support via France Travail and administrative procedures (ICPE).
3 questions to Yannick Haby, Future Industry sector expert
Which industrial sectors are attracting the most investment in the South of France?
Three trends stand out. Microelectronics, driven by the European Chips Act and STMicroelectronics' investments in Rousset. Defence, with rising military budgets directly benefiting the territory's 250 aero-defence companies. And industrial decarbonisation in the Fos-Berre area, where major projects are materialising around hydrogen and green chemistry.
Have the France 2030 turnkey sites been a game changer for industrial set-up?
Yes. With 8 certified sites (the highest number in France), we address manufacturers' main pain point: time. On a standard site, environmental studies, connections and permits take 3 to 5 years. On a turnkey site, the land is pre-qualified and procedures are anticipated, allowing construction to start within 12 to 18 months. For a manufacturer needing to invest quickly, that is a decisive argument.
What feedback do you most often receive from manufacturers already established here?
The quality of the subcontracting network. The South of France has a dense industrial SME base, structured around clusters like AKTANTIS and SAFE. When a manufacturer sets up, they quickly find local partners for maintenance, machining and logistics. This is an asset we systematically highlight in our establishment proposals.
Industrial companies established in the South of France:
STMICROELECTRONICS, AIRBUS HELICOPTERS, ARKEMA, SAFRAN, THALES ALENIA SPACE, DASSAULT AVIATION, NAVAL GROUP, ARCELORMITTAL, KEM ONE, INOVYN, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, SOMEI, GEMALTO (THALES DIS), EOLANE, AXENS, SOLVAY, PRYSMIAN, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE
Success Stories
Success Stories
FAQ – Setting up in the future industry sector in the South of France
What turnkey sites are available in the South of France?
The South of France has 8 sites certified as "turnkey France 2030" – France's leading territory for this scheme. These sites guarantee regulatory readiness and land availability within 2 to 5 years.
What is the AKTANTIS cluster?
AKTANTIS is the new name for the Secured Communicating Solutions (SCS) competitiveness cluster, adopted in November 2024. It brings together 300 members in microelectronics, digital systems, IoT, embedded AI and cybersecurity, and supported 360 projects worth €1.5 bn in R&D in 2024.
What is the SYRIUS programme?
SYRIUS supports the decarbonisation and modernisation of industrial sites in the Fos-Étang de Berre area. Phase 2 (2026-2028) has a budget of €16M including €6M from the State, targeting energy efficiency and new industrial loops.
How can risingSUD support my project?
risingSUD provides free support to industrial investors: site identification, access to AKTANTIS and SAFE clusters, France 2030 funding and regional grants, recruitment via France Travail, and assistance with administrative procedures and ICPE permits.
Sources and references
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