Northern France rises to environmental challenge at IFAT

The Northern France stand will be located in Hall C3 (Stand 213/314), as well as in the open-air exhibition ground (Stand 501/9). It will showcase eight companies from the region, including the CD2E regional environmental cluster, which will be presenting the expertise of Nord-Pas-de-Calais companies operating in the environmental field. IFAT is the leading international event for water, sewage, waste, and raw-materials management and will take place in Munich (Germany) from 13 to 17 September 2010.

The Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, which has a long manufacturing and mining tradition, faces numerous ecological challenges. Currently, almost 600 businesses in the environmental sector are based in the region, offering products and services in areas including the treatment of waste and water, air quality, green construction, and renewable energy.

Over 150 ecological projects, which are funded by various regional bodies, have been launched in Nord-Pas-de-Calais over the past decade, including both new projects and the restoration of existing facilities such as schools, social housing and municipal buildings. A database of environmentally friendly materials for use in the construction sector has also been created, which indicates the impact of these materials upon the environment or public health.

Nord-Pas-de-Calais has more than 60 research centres, employing a total of 400 researchers. The region is also the home of the Centre National de Recherche sur les Sites et Sols Pollués (National Research Centre for Polluted Soils and Sites), which specialises in the investigation and classification of polluted sites, as well as the treatment of ground and water pollution.

The CD2E cluster (where ‘CD2E’ stands for Creation et Développement des Eco-Entreprises, i.e. the Creation and Development of Environmental Businesses), which brings together experts and professionals from across the environment sector, has played an active role in boosting the competitiveness and overall development of the region's key players in the environmental field.

In addition to the assistance it provides in the development of innovative, high-added-value environmental businesses, CD2E co-ordinates European projects involving green construction. CD2E assists in the setting-up of international partnerships aimed at boosting the capacity of environmental businesses, which is also done through encouraging trade and dialogue between key players, and through attracting international investment to the region.

The following companies will be exhibiting on the Northern France stand, as part of the French pavilion at IFAT (Hall C3, Stand 213/214). CD2E specialises in the creation and development of environmental businesses (www.cd2e.com). Côte d'Opale Développement is the agency for the development and promotion of the Côte d'Opale area of northern France (www.cotedopaledeveloppement.com).

Ecodas specialises in the treatment of infectious medical waste (www.ecodas.com). L’Eau Pure is a specialist in water treatment (www.eaupure.fr) and, for its part, Techsub carries out underwater work and services (www.techsub.com).

Turbe is a manufacturer of goods conveyors (www.turbe.fr), while APIM is the development agency for the Lille Metropolitan Area (www.apim.com). The CCI International Nord-Pas-de-Calais is the Chamber of Commerce for the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of northern France (www.cci-international.net) and will be represented on the stand.

Finally, Huwer manufactures pumping and flushing vehicles (www.huwer.com). Its stand will be located in the open-air exhibition ground (Stand 501/9).

About CCI Nord-Pas-de-Calais

The Nord-Pas-de-Calais Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI International Nord-Pas-de-Calais) represents and promotes the interests of companies based in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of northern France.

Companies from the region will take part in the IFAT trade fair in Munich (in southern Germany) from 13 to 17 September 2010. The Northern France pavilion will be located in Hall C3 (Stand 213/214) and in the open-air exhibition ground (Stand 501/9).

For further information about the chamber of commerce, please go to: http://www.cci-international.net/