Energy and environment

By 2024, the annual global capacity of wind power installations is expected to reach 73 gigawatts, a 24-fold increase over a 26-year period. Offshore wind power production has seen a massive increase. Installed capacity is growing at an average annual rate of 30%. Among the countries, China dominates, with 43% of the world's wind power capacity. France has a target of 10 GW by 2030. The European Commission's target of 340 GW by 2050 underlines the strategic importance of wind power. France, home to the world's second largest maritime surface, naturally harbors significant offshore potential. Projections show that French wind power capacity could be multiplied by 2.5 by 2028, mainly due to the development of offshore wind power, which remains a relatively untapped resource. French sentiment towards wind power presents an environment conducive to the growth of this renewable source, with around 73% of the population viewing it positively and more than half wishing to see its development

In France , the manufacture of industrial air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment exceeds 6 billion euros. The market for heating and air-conditioning equipment is worth around 24 billion euros. The global air-conditioning market is estimated at 200 billion dollars . China dominates this market, with 40% of global demand Analysis of the French air-conditioning market The French air-conditioning market is experiencing strong growth, particularly in the residential segment, with wall-mounted systems, ducted technologies and console systems. The tertiary sector is also expanding, with technologies such as DRV and chillers. A notable market development is the introduction of connected and intelligent air-conditioning products, enabling remote control via smartphones. The heat pump segment is growing fast, and France is a leading European market, with over a million heat pumps installed each year. Installation work for heating and air-conditioning equipment is expanding steadily, with

The global geothermal market is growing, with forecasts predicting an increase in production capacity from 92 TWh to 282 TWh by 2030. The United States remains the leading producer, with around 19 TWh of geothermal energy, followed by Indonesia and the Philippines. Geothermal energy in France: untapped potential In France, geothermal energy is a high-potential market that remains largely under-exploited. The Bouillante power plant in Guadeloupe is a notable producer, contributing 110 GWh, or 6% of the island's energy output. The Soultz-sous-Forêts project in Alsace has a production capacity of 1.7 MW (12 GWh per year), and other regions such as the Massif Central and Languedoc-Roussillon have additional potential. Despite a slight increase in recent years, geothermal energy's share of heat and power production in France remains below that of conventional energy.lectricity in France remains below 5% and 4% respectively, with a production potential of over 3,000 MW for geothermal electri

Sales in the waste management sector total around €25 billion. Waste production is around 360 million tonnes of waste. The construction sector is the main producer of waste in France, accounting for almost 70% of total waste production. Economic activities produce 20% of waste, and households 9%. French industry relies heavily on recycled waste as a resource in the paper, glass and metal industries. Waste production is increasing at a moderate average annual rate of around 1.1%. Over the past decade, the waste management market has seen a 20% increase in sales. 66% of waste is recycled, 6% is recovered for electricity generation and 28% is landfilled Pioneers and innovators in waste management in France Tiru Group: A subsidiary of EDF, Tiru is a heavyweight in the waste management sector, particularly renowned for its expertise in energy recovery. Derichebourg: France's leading metals recycler. Recylex: Specializes in zinc, lead and plastic recycling Valobat: the new Valobat eco-organi

Permaculture is an innovative agroecological system that aims to replace the current production system with a more sustainable alternative, centred on small-scale farming values, natural methods and soil regeneration. In urban or rural settings, these small-scale organic market gardening projects can take several forms:

The French energy renovation market has grown significantly due to increased government incentives and regulatory measures aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The MaPrimeRénov' program has been a key driver, distributing work funds worth 3.1 billion euros by 2022 and benefiting nearly 700,000 homes. Eco-loans saw their distribution increase by 31% in 2022. With the tightening of regulations - G-rated homes will be banned from rental from 2025, and F-rated homes from 2028 - the market should continue to grow. 70% of French people see cost as a major barrier to improving the energy performance of their homes. The building sector is a key area for action, being the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for nearly a third of all CO2 emissions and almost half of the country's final energy consumption. Between 2006 and 2019, the energy renovation market more than

The global bioenergy market is growing steadily, reaching a value of $271.17 billion in 2023. Global bioenergy production capacity will reach 148,912 megawatts in 2022, an increase of 176% since 2008. In Europe, total capacity increased by 64% between 2010 and 2022. In France, bioenergy production capacity has increased by 85%, from 1.11 megawatts in 2011 to 2,051 megawatts in 2022. This expansion is part of a broader European commitment to renewable energies, where bioenergy represents around 60% of the renewable energy mix. The French bioenergy market Bioenergy is derived from solid, liquid and gaseous biomass. French consumers and authorities are showing a keen interest in this sector. The use of resources such as wood, manure, cereal straw and organic waste underlines the potential of bioenergy as a versatile and renewable energy source, particularly in the form of wood energy, biogas and biofuels. The French feel particularly concerned by local energy issues: over three-quarters a

A vehicle charging station is an infrastructure equipped with one or more charging points for recharging electric vehicles. It comprises the space needed to park a vehicle and other components, such as a charge management cabinet.

The French market for waste compactors is estimated at 40 million euros The global market for waste compactors is worth around $600 million and growing at an annual rate of 5%. The market is faced with the challenges of alternative waste treatment equipment such as shredders and incinerators. The French market for waste compactors can be roughly estimated at 40 million euros, based on company sales and import-export figures. The French construction sector is a major end-user of waste compactors for the treatment of inert and non-hazardous waste. The facilities management market in France is a related sector that is expected to grow by 5% a year. Local authorities and waste collection service providers are vital segments of the compactor market, with continuing pressure to manage waste efficiently, not least due to the general tax on polluting activities (TGAP). The waste chain includes production, pre-collection, collection, treatment and recovery. Demand for waste compactors on the Fr

The global market for air compressors is worth around $62 billion. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region, with significant expansion in construction and infrastructure activities in countries such as China, and India driving demand. The US market, was the leader in 2019, contributing over 15% of global market volume. The French market is stagnating. Demand in France covers multiple sectors, with do-it-yourselfers and small construction sites looking for compressors with a capacity of less than 200 liters, and industrial entities requiring larger, more sophisticated compressors. French market dynamics Individuals and small construction sites need air compressors with a capacity of less than 200 liters for basic operations and DIY projects. The DIY market has been growing rapidly since 2019, stopping in 2023 Industry needs sophisticated compressors with capacities over 200 liters. Demand is widespread, affects all industrial sectors and is not very sensitive to fluctu

European production, valued at 2.6 billion euros in 2019, has seen a decline from its peak between 2014 and 2017. A decline in production has been observed since the early 2010s. The value of French production has fallen from around 480 million euros to around 400 million euros, a drop of around 15-20%. French domestic consumption of refrigeration compressors was estimated at 240 million euros in 2018. Market innovations, such as lubricating-oil-free compressors and compressorless refrigeration systems, address ecological concerns and reduce dependence on the oil market. Exports and imports in 2019 were valued at €511.48 million and €393.29 million respectively. The majority of exports in 2019 were compressors over 0.4 kW, with hermetic or semi-hermetic models accounting for almost 55-60% and those without this feature for around 35-40%. In terms of imports, compressors over 0.4 kW without hermetic or semi-hermetic features accounted for almost 45-50%, while those with such features co

The global sparkling water market is valued at over $33 billion, and is expected to grow by around 12% a year over the next few years. Bottled sparkling waters account for the largest share, at 45%. Flavored sparkling waters in particular are gaining ground. Asia leads the way with 31% of global bottled water consumption, closely followed by Europe and North America. However, on a per capita basis, Europeans consume the most bottled water, with an average of 103.3 bottles per year, while the French consume an average of 114 bottles per person per year. The French sparkling water market In France, sales of sparkling water in supermarkets alone are worth around 750 million euros. Sales of natural sparkling waters are declining, while flavored variants are on the rise. Sparkling water has established itself in the beverage industry thanks to a solid consumer base, made up mainly of affluent people over 65. Around 23% of the population, or between 15 and 20 million people, consume bottled

The global genset market is valued at $5 billion and is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 5%. In France, after the sanitaryware crisis which caused a sharp fall in the market, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict which began in February 2022 led to a spectacular rise in electricity prices. The French domestic market remained relatively stable until 2021, and began to rise again from 2022 onwards. Generators with a capacity of less than 75 kVA dominate the market in terms of numbers. Powerful diesel generators account for 70% of worldwide sales, with manufacturers such as Cummins, SDMO, Jenbacher, Kohler and Caterpillar. The bulk of the market is in the supply of emergency power units for retail, government, defense, hospitals and education. A particularly cutting-edge sector is the supply of emergency power units for data centers, the number of which is growing rapidly in France and Europe. The public works sector makes extensive use of rental equipment to meet occasional demand.

The French electric motor market is valued at over €4 billion. The global electric motor market is worth over $140 billion. The French market is expected to recover by 9% in 2021, returning to pre-pandemic levels. The main drivers of market growth are the boom in the electric vehicle sector, the widespread use of electric urban mobility devices, scooters and scooters.lectric mobility devices, scooters and electric bikes and scooters, and the growing demand for energy-efficient electric motors in the industrial and tertiary sectors. The market is moving towards integrated rather than stand-alone motor solutions Major companies such as Siemens, ABB and Schneider Electric dominate the market, and the transition to electric vehicles is opening up opportunities for new entrants. Key players in the electric motor market Siemens is a giant in the electrical equipment sector. ABB, another industry heavyweight Schneider Electric is a major name in the sector, both in France and worldwide. Nidec

The French solar panel market is estimated at between €1.2 and €1.4 billion. The global solar panel market has experienced very strong growth. Worldwide installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity reached 728 GW in 2020, and is expected to reach 1645 GW in 2027. Investment in the solar industry has reached $240 billion in 2022, a 40% increase on 2019. Solar capacity in China is four times greater than in the United States, and Chinese manufacturers occupy 9 of the top 10 positions worldwide. Chinese companies such as JinkoSolar. In France, solar power will account for just 6% of the energy mix by 2024, but is aiming for an ambitious expansion of its photovoltaic installations to reach 40 GW by 2028. The price of solar panels from China has collapsed, and has been divided by three in just a few years. French market trends The French solar panel market has experienced significant growth since the early 2020s, thanks to strong government support in the form of subsidies, tax incentives and feed-

The global heat pump market is valued at over 6 billion dollars The French market is expanding rapidly and is Europe's leading market. The value of heat pump production in the EU has almost doubled to over 3 billion euros. In France, the value of production exceeds 600 million euros. Its growth coincides with growing environmental concerns and escalating energy costs. While sales of geothermal heat pumps have fallen, sales of aerothermal heat pumps have more than doubled to over 1 million units, mainly air-to-air models. The sector is innovating with the arrival of connected and hybrid heat pumps. France has a trade surplus in heat pumps. The sector counts over 13,000 companies and employs over 110,000 people. Demand for heat pumps is mainly influenced by the cost of domestic heating energy. 80% of French people keep a close eye on their heating consumption. Air-to-water heat pumps and ground-source heat pumps cost around 8.67 and 7.49 euro cents per kW respectively. Heat pump systems

The global smart grid market exceeds $70 billion Smart grids in France This transformative technology optimizes the production, distribution and consumption of electricity. Investment in smart grid technologies in France has exceeded 5 billion euros over the past decade, with more than 300 smart grid projects underway. Countries such as Italy and Sweden have completed their smart meter rollouts. Smart meter integration has seen remarkable growth, with around 200 million units installed for electricity and 45 million for gas in the EU. More than 90% of French consumers will be equipped with a smart meter by 2022, generating an estimated energy saving of 3%. The influence of public authorities has considerably boosted market development. Forecasts indicate that by 2030, the smart grid market in France will have experienced significant growth, varying according to segment. The power generation segment, closely linked to renewable energy initiatives, is set to grow from 241 million euros t

The market for hydrogen stations and hydrants in France is developing rapidly, thanks to the support of public authorities, notably the France Relance and France 2030 plans. By 2025, France should have 225 hydrogen stations, with a target of 1,000 stations by 2030. This growth is in line with the growing demand for hydrogen-powered vehicles, which remain a niche market largely dominated by the Hyundai Nexo and Toyota Mirai future growth in hydrogen vehicle sales - a key driver of demand for hydrogen stations - is underlined by France Hydrogène's ambition to see 300,000 such vehicles by 2030. Currently, ENGIE is the main operator with 16 stations in France, and the country's first hydrogen station was inaugurated in Saint-Lô in 2015. Estimates predict a market leap from 0.6 million euros to 4 billion euros by 2030. Key players in the French hydrogen station market Hynamics: A subsidiary of energy giant EDF, Hynamics specializes in hydrogen for industry and mobility. The company has demo

There are around 11,000 service stations in France There are two main networks: oil groups and independents, known as traditional networks, and supermarket networks, which include hypermarkets and supermarkets and control over 63% of service stations. New vehicle registrations in France are moving towards gasoline and alternative energy sources. Gasoline-powered vehicles account for 58% of new registrations, and hybrid and electric engines for 8%. Diesel vehicles now account for just 34% of new vehicle registrations. Sales of road fuels in France are down slightly, with a sharp drop in diesel volumes. North America is the largest market for petroleum products, followed by Europe. France is Europe's second-largest market, Service stations are diversifying, offering electric charging stations, vehicle rental and retail offers. The introduction of Directive (EU) 2020/262 has put in place a framework for excise duties on energy products, requiring compliance from operators within the Frenc

French bioethanol market estimated at $4 billion The global bioethanol market, valued at $83.4 billion in 2023, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% to 2028. Bioethanol, mainly used as a renewable fuel blended with gasoline, is experiencing increased demand due to technological advances and the trend towards greener energy sources. The United States, Brazil and Germany are the main producers, with France ranking fourth worldwide, contributing 5% to global production. France is heavily dependent on imports from European countries. A growing appetite for bioethanol in France As the world's fourth-largest producer, with over 2 million tonnes produced annually, France has made great strides towards integrating bioethanol into its energy mix in the transport sector. The French bioethanol market can be estimated at around $4 billion. This estimate is based on France's 5% contribution to the global market ($83 billion) As bioethanol represents a significant proportion of the biofuels consume

The biomethane market in France covers all economic activity related to biomethane, a renewable gas mixture produced from various types of waste: food industry waste, institutional catering waste, agricultural and household waste, and sewage sludge. It is used as an energy source, particularly to generate heat, and differs from methane derived from fossil fuels, which is pumped directly from the ground. Biomethane is also better for the environment than natural gas.

Bioplastics cover agrosourced or agroplastic plastics from renewable resources such as corn, sweet potato, wheat, sugar cane or castor oil. The term "bioplastic" also refers to biodegradable plastics including plastics from petrochemical reactions

The French bioplastics market is valued at over €800 million. Bioplastics accounted for around 1% of total plastics production. Europe is a key player in bioplastics production, with a quarter of the world's capacity, and Asia continues to lead production, with 45% of bioplastics manufactured. Regulatory changes are encouraging the development of bioplastics by banning certain plastic products and imposing higher levels of plant-based materials. Recycling bioplastics and the mixture of materials that cannot be processed by traditional systems remains highly complex. Trends in demand for bioplastics on the French market Packaging remains the dominant sector, accounting for over half of all bioplastics used. Demand is driven by a heightened awareness of environmental issues and the search for more renewable, environmentally-friendly materials. France accounts for around 3% to 4% of the global plastics industry's sales. The French market offers significant growth potential. Bioplastics ca

French wood energy market estimated at €2 billion Wood energy, which includes logs (firewood), wood pellets, wood chips and charcoal, is France's leading renewable energy source, accounting for almost 40% of the country's renewable energy consumption.however, its contribution to the French energy mix remains below 4%. France's forest area covers 28% of the country's total land area, and increases by between 50,000 and 100,000 hectares every year. France marketed 38.1 million cubic meters of roundwood in 2019, with softwoods being the most widely harvested type. Globally, the bioenergy sector, with wood as a solid biofuel, accounted for 85.7% of total bioenergy consumption. Wood fuel production grew by 0.4% a year, while wood pellets and charcoal saw significant production increases of 115% and 45% respectively. The French market is showing stability, with an average market value of around €2 billion since 2013. The residential sector remains the main consumer, accounting for over 70% o

French heating and air-conditioning installation market exceeds 20 billion euros Heating and hot water represent 79% of total final energy consumption, with a notable 23% of heating and cooling in the sector produced from renewable energies. The number of manufacturing plants is set to fall from 64 in 2011 to 48 in 2022. The renewable heat sector, in particular wood energy and aerothermal heat pumps, is booming. The French market is strongly oriented towards electric and gas heating for private homes, and natural gas, electricity and fuel oil remain the main energy sources for heating needs in the tertiary sector. Manufacturers like Groupe Muller and Atlantic lead the market, while retailers like Leroy Merlin and installers like Idex are major players. Connected heating solutions are gaining ground, with installation costs ranging from around 150 euros for basic packages to over 1,000 euros for sophisticated models. Regulations such as RT2012 and the Ecodesign Directive, as well as eco

The French wood energy market is estimated at between 600 and 700 million euros. Stoves, particularly pellet stoves, have become the best-selling appliances, reaching almost 400,000 units by 2022. Wood is the leading source of renewable energy in France. The residential sector is the biggest consumer, accounting for 66% of total wood energy consumption. Soaring energy prices have made wood heating even more competitive. Biomass is a minority energy source in the European Union. France is the leading consumer of wood energy in Europe, but also a country that produces more wood than it consumes. There is a large market for domestic wood heating systems. Stoves are the most popular, followed by closed hearths and inserts. Collective wood heating remains marginal. 70 of appliances sold in France are imported. The market's potential is reinforced by the abundance of available forest resources, with some 15 to 20 million hectares of forest covering around 31% of France's total surface area.

The French nuclear dismantling market is valued at €1 billion. The global nuclear dismantling market is booming, valued at $6.7 billion in 2022, and is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 6% until 2028. By 2023, 412 nuclear reactors will be in service worldwide, almost half of them in the USA, France and China. The trend is for reactors to be dismantled soon after they are shut down, with a total of 209 reactors already shut down by the end of 2022. France, faced with an aging fleet with an average reactor age of 37.6 years, is preparing for major dismantling activities in the near future. The nuclear dismantling market in France France, with its long experience in the nuclear industry, is at the forefront of the nuclear dismantling market. France's dismantling activities, which are set to intensify over the coming decades, are part of a larger European market, estimated to be worth around €95 billion by 2050. This represents a market opportunity worth over three billion euro

The French asbestos removal market is estimated at over €1.1 billion. Asbestos was banned in 1997. In recent years, the asbestos removal market in France has experienced significant growth and development, with new entrants quadrupling the number of establishments by 2020. Today, the market counts some 1,000 establishments. Asbestos, a harmful silicate mineral, presents significant health risks. Asbestos removal mainly concerns asbestos concrete, accounting for 80%. Asbestos removal services include dust removal, containment, extraction, quality control and waste disposal. The introduction of stricter legislation has resulted in higher operating costs for certification, protection and training, with no commensurate increase in the fees charged to customers. Asbestos removal robots could revolutionize the sector. The construction, demolition and industrial sectors are the main consumers of asbestos removal services, accounting for half and a quarter of activity respectively. Asbestos re

The global desalination market, estimated at between $14 and $16 billion and forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 7-9%, relies heavily on the Middle East and Africa, which dominate the market to the tune of 60%. Worldwide, French expertise is at the forefront of innovative desalination technologies, in particular reverse osmosis, chosen for its energy efficiency compared with distillation and electrodialysis. This technique is more economical, with energy consumption of around 2 to 4 kWh per cubic metre. Despite the environmental impact of brine discharge and the associated high energy consumption, desalination is presented as a key solution to global water stress, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 6 for clean water and sanitation. Market trends and expertise France maintains rigorous control over the capture and treatment of seawater within the regulatory framework overseen by ANSES. Regulatory vigilance supports the desalinatio

The global shale gas market is worth billions of dollars. Despite holding the second-largest shale gas reserves in Europe, France does not exploit this resource. A ban on shale gas exploration and extraction was enacted in 2017. 83% of people express disapproval due to perceived environmental impacts. France is entirely dependent on natural gas imports, as evidenced by the sharp rise in shale gas imports from the United States. Internationally, while China, Argentina, Algeria and the United States hold significant reserves, France is not. Growing global energy demand and competitive prices have stimulated the shale gas industry. Nuclear power accounts for 70% of the country's electricity production. France's gas-fired power plants are concentrated in the north and northeast, and use methods such as combined-cycle power plants. Shale gas players Total, France's leading energy group, is not involved in shale gas extraction in France. Engie, formerly GDF Suez, plays an important role in t

The French industrial gases market is valued at between 1.6 and 2.7 billion euros. The global industrial gases market is estimated at $110 billion. The market is dominated by a few key players, with Air Liquide, Linde and Air Products accounting for over 75% of the global market. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for over a third of the market. This sector plays a crucial role in a variety of industries, including chemicals, metallurgy, food and healthcare, supplying essential gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon, helium, carbon dioxide and acetylene Sales have grown by 22% and 34% in the years 2021 and 2022. Hydrogen is booming, driven by growing environmental legislation and its potential as a greener substitute in a variety of applications. Investment in the hydrogen economy is particularly noteworthy, with France pledging between €20 and €25 billion over the next decade to make up between 10 and 15% of the energy matrix. air Liquide holds more than half the market. Dominant forces

Lithium is an alkaline metal, often called "white gold". It is present in the earth's crust and in the oceans. This metal is never found in its native state (in metallic form), but is present in dissolved form. Today, lithium is mainly used in the

The global market for recycling services, including organic waste management, is growing at a steady 5%. Organic waste represents around 46% of total waste volume. The global food waste management market is worth over $55 billion. The total amount of waste produced per capita each year is 13.8 tonnes. Biological waste management therefore represents 14% of all waste treatment. France produces 354 kg of household waste per inhabitant per year, a third of which is organic waste. Restaurants and grocery stores, the main generators of kitchen waste, are obliged to sort their bio-waste. The agriculture and gardening sector produces both organic waste and compost. The sector faces problems such as stagnating volumes of recycled organic waste and a shortage of quality outlets for recovered organic materials. Methanization units show modest profitability which, without public subsidies, may not be financially viable for many operators. The Ecological Transition Act of 2025, which makes source

The French plastic recycling market is worth between €200 and €250 million. The global plastics recycling market is worth around $43.5 billion. In France, the plastics recycling industry has received increasing attention since 1992, with a significant rise in ecological awareness among companies, whether they specialize in recycling or produce plastics. Despite these efforts, challenges persist, with the latest data indicating that of the 4.5 megatons of plastic waste generated annually, around 2.5 megatons comes from packaging, and that only 29% of plastic packaging is recycled. On average, each French person produces 15 kilos of recyclable plastic waste per year. The structure of the market means that various players are positioning themselves to meet the growing demand for recycling services against a backdrop of increasing regulatory pressure for sustainable development. Emerging trends in the French plastics recycling market The French plastics recycling market has seen a steady i

The global water treatment market is valued at $145 billion. In France, the water treatment market is largely influenced by three main uses: domestic, agricultural and industrial. Investments by delegated water companies, excluding research and development, fluctuate between 750 and 800 million euros, mainly allocated to crucial transport and distribution infrastructure. Domestic water consumption is declining. Average water consumption per person per day is between 160 and 180 liters. The industrial sector, which accounts for 16% of water volumes abstracted in France. The chemical industry leads the way in water consumption. Agricultural water demand is the most volatile, as it is highly dependent on seasonal and annual rainfall. Key players in the sector Veolia Suez Saur SCP Sogedo > The most comprehensive study of this market In order to study this market, our analysts have access to: - More than 160 specialist magazines, including the main trade journals in the sector - Complete li