Bpifrance hosts a strategic event for the green industry

In a context where the ecological transition has become an industrial and economic imperative, Bpifrance hosted the latest edition of the Green Industry Forum, a key event aimed at strengthening cooperation between France and Norway in the field of green technologies. Organised in partnership with the embassies of the two countries, this forum brought together political decision-makers, industrialists and experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to decarbonisation, critical raw materials and energy innovations.

The event underlined the importance of the partnership between France and Norway, two countries that share ambitious objectives in terms of carbon neutrality and industrial sovereignty. Norway, world leader in renewable energy and carbon capture, and France, with its advances in low-carbon technologies and the electrification of industries, have thus explored potential synergies to accelerate the ecological transition.

An institutional dialogue to structure sustainable cooperation

The opening of the forum was marked by speeches from H.E. Florence Robine, French Ambassador to Norway, and H.E. Niels Engelschion, Norwegian Ambassador to France. They emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral collaboration to meet industrial and environmental challenges, particularly within the framework of the Paris Agreement and European ambitions to reduce CO₂ emissions.

For his part, Marc Feracci, French Minister of Industry and Energy, emphasised that ‘the ecological transition can only be successful if it is accompanied by an ambitious industrial transformation and strengthened cooperation between our nations’.

With three key areas:

• Critical raw materials, essential for the production of batteries and green technologies, the supply of which must be secured in Europe.
• Carbon capture and storage (CCUS), a key lever for the decarbonisation of heavy industry.
• Technological innovation, which must be supported by common industrial policies and appropriate funding.

Technologies and innovations at the heart of the forum

One of the forum’s key sessions focused on critical raw materials, a strategic issue for European industrial autonomy. Andreas Forfang, Vice-President of Vianode, presented his company’s progress in the production of advanced battery materials, aimed at reducing dependence on Asian suppliers. Frédéric Carencotte, President of Carester, highlighted the Caremag project, a leading industrial initiative for the production of rare earth oxides in Europe.

Another key moment of the forum was the discussion on carbon capture and utilisation (CCUS), which represents a major solution for achieving carbon neutrality.

Sébastien Fiedorow, Co-Founder and CEO of Aerleum, unveiled a CO2 capture and utilisation technology that considerably reduces the production costs of synthetic fuels and molecules, in order to offer competitive alternatives to fossil fuels.

Odd Stromsnes, CEO of Bergen Carbon Solutions, explained his company’s progress as a CCU company by transforming CO₂ into conductive carbon nanotubes, an innovative material used in batteries and electronics, among other things.

These innovations are part of a broader dynamic of sustainable industrial transformation, in which research and development play a fundamental role.

Towards a new energy and industrial era

Beyond technological solutions, the Green Industry Forum highlighted the challenges associated with energy infrastructures. Jonas Helseth, Director of Bellona Europa, emphasised the need for an efficient and secure energy network to support the transition to a low-carbon industry. Etienne Almoric, CEO of FEBUS Optics, presented optical sensor technologies that enable real-time monitoring of energy infrastructures, thus reducing losses and improving safety.

The discussions as a whole highlighted the common desire of France and Norway to accelerate the industrialisation of green solutions, while guaranteeing the competitiveness of companies and the resilience of supply chains.

Bpifrance, a catalyst for industrial transition

By hosting this event, Bpifrance confirms its central role in supporting companies committed to ecological transition. The organisation actively supports industrial projects with a high environmental impact, notably through funding dedicated to green innovation and strategic partnerships with international players.

The Green Industry Forum concluded with a clear message: cooperation between France and Norway is an essential lever for building a more sustainable and competitive industry. The commitments made during this event pave the way for new collaborations and innovations, which will play a key role in the European ecological transition.