the nanotechnology market | France

1.1 INTRODUCTION

At the crossroads of several scientific disciplines such as electronics, mechanics, chemistry, optics or biology, the nanotechnologies are defined as all processes for the design, production and application of physical structures, devices and systems on a scale of less than 40 nanometers. The number of companies in the nanotechnology market has experienced strong growth in the years 1990-2000 to become today a very recent and still very new sector under construction .

Nanotechnologies thus continue to have a a broad and fundamental impact on almost all sectors of the global economy including electronics, energy, biomedical, cosmetics, defence, automotive, agriculture and others. Factors such as technological advances, increased public support and private sector financing in the R The growing demand for miniaturization devices and strategic alliances between countries are expected to stimulate the growth of the global nanotechnology market. However, issues such as environmental, health and safety risks and concerns related to the commercialization of nanotechnologies could hinder market growth.

The growth prospects for nanotechnologies are considerable in France as nanotechnologies are likely to operate in different fields and in multiple industrial applications. The attractiveness of the sector leads to a high competitive intensity at the international and national level: the United States is the leader in this sector and Europe is second with Germany in the lead, followed by France. Each country is multiplying its efforts to promote the development of these technologies on its territory. Beyond the presence of large firms (IBM, Texas Instrument, Siemens...) this young sector attracts many SMEs and startups. In France, there are now nearly 220 laboratories, ranging from competitiveness clusters to integration platforms and technology centres throughout the country.

In terms of strategies In addition, companies work closely with the public authorities that invest in this industry and aim to define the most appropriate framework for its development. In addition, companies seem to favour partnerships. Nanotechnologies raise some concerns that both public authorities and industry stakeholders are taking into account. One of the challenges the main task is to raise awareness and inform a general public that is currently hostile to this still little-known technology. In addition, the manipulation of matter at the molecular level in the living world raises ethical and health issues.