23 plastics transformation technologies
The Plastics industry is a vast sector including many technologies. Convinced that some projects may require many skills, the Young Economic Chamber for the Plastics Industry is open to all partners from the sector and to all the SMEs representing all transformation technologies.
Plastics in Auvergne is exceptional in terms of company diversity, some are national or even European leaders. One of the most obvious characteristics is the specialisation by geographical zone.
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The Packaging Zone located in Haute-Loire with businesses which are leaders in their sectors (master mix creation, technical films)
This department alone - still the second highest concentration of package extruding companies in Europe – represents nearly 70 companies and about 3,000 jobs.
"The Yssingeaux Employment Zone alone employs 45% of plastics workers in Auvergne. It is the source of nearly 40% of the national polyethylene film production." (INSEE). - The Technical Zone, based in Thiers and its surroundings. This area, formerly famous for its cutlery industry, rapidly reconverted to the injection of technical items.
- The Health and Beauty Zone, based in Vichy with an additional plant in Aurillac. This zone has witnessed the emergence of acknowledged companies. The presence of large cosmetic corporations and industrial laboratories has favoured the implantation and growth of many companies and therefore putting this zone on the map.
The companies from the plastics industry must take on many challenges such as sustaining their competitiveness through innovation and international development. Firstly, for instance, they will need to retain their customers and positions on the market. Then, they will have to develop in new markets in a bid to anticipate and look for new customers, especially on an international scale.
This is particularly relevant for the Auvergne as a region, with an overall export rate considered weak at 16.3%.