As public resources dedicated to industrial innovation reach unprecedented levels, with one of the most ambitious investment plans ever deployed in this field, the concrete transformation of France’s industrial fabric remains a major challenge. France 2030 embodies this tension while creating tangible opportunities for industry stakeholders.
France 2030: An Unprecedented Investment Framework to Reanchor Innovation in Industry
The French government is committing €54 billion to support industrial innovation. No previous public plan has ever mobilized such a significant budget for these strategic sectors.
A Funding Strategy Covering the Entire Value Chain
France 2030 provides financing across every stage of innovation: research, development, industrialization, and training. The goal is clear — to accelerate industrial transformation nationwide. Applications are submitted through highly selective calls for projects, often sector-specific and sometimes regionally targeted.
Oversight lies with the General Secretariat for Investment (SGPI), reporting directly to the Prime Minister’s office. Operational execution is carried out by several public agencies. This framework concentrates a major share of innovation funding in France, with a direct impact on strengthening the industrial fabric.
A Focus on Decarbonization and Emerging Players
Half of the budget is dedicated to decarbonization projects. The other half targets SMEs, mid-cap companies, and startups working on breakthrough innovations. This allocation responds to two imperatives: reducing industrial emissions and fostering the emergence of French technological champions.
Tangible Results on the Industrial Front
As of December 31, 2024, the government had committed €38 billion to more than 7,500 projects across the country. SMEs, mid-caps, and startups account for more than half of the beneficiaries. These projects have mobilized 196,000 jobs, including 156,000 created after launch. Over 6,000 patents are currently being filed. In both scale and impact, France 2030 is redefining the standards of innovation funding in France, channeling support toward concrete, distributed projects.
Industrial Goals to Transform Production
France 2030 structures its action around ten operational objectives, five of which directly target industrial production.
Nuclear, Hydrogen, Electric Vehicles: Three Major Transformation Pillars
The plan funds the development of small modular reactors (SMRs). Several projects are underway, including a 30 MWe demonstrator led by Newcleo, a high-temperature microreactor developed by Jimmy Energy, and thermal reactors for urban heating networks designed by Calogena.
In hydrogen, funding focuses on decarbonized production through electrolysis, building a complete industrial ecosystem, and training 50,000 to 100,000 professionals. In Béziers, Genvia is setting up a gigafactory dedicated to high-temperature electrolysis, while Sofresid is developing an industrial solution for floating wind power.
On mobility, the target is two million electric or hybrid vehicles produced annually in France by 2030. Five battery gigafactories will be operational in the Hauts-de-France region, with the aim of achieving national autonomy across the battery value chain.
Decarbonization and Low-Carbon Aviation: Toward a More Competitive Industry
France 2030 supports the modernization of carbon-intensive industrial sites such as those in chemicals, cement, and metallurgy. Public funding is directed toward biomass, electrification, and CO₂ capture. Four major industrial hubs (Dunkerque, Fos, Loire-Estuaire, and Seine-Normandie) are testing this approach through dedicated low-carbon zones.
In aerospace, several startups are designing hybrid, electric, or hydrogen propulsion solutions. The plan’s goal is to bring a low-carbon aircraft to market by 2030, while also supporting the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Pilot projects are underway in Rouen, Lacq, and Saint-Nazaire to manufacture SAF at scale.
Measurable Interim Results
By the end of 2024, France was producing 640,000 electric vehicles per year. The plan secured 0.4 GW of electrolysis capacity for hydrogen. Industrial decarbonization financed through France 2030 is already preventing 7.2 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually.
An Industrial Strategy Rooted in Regions and Emerging Innovation
France 2030 funds projects across the entire national territory. Nearly half of the resources are allocated to stakeholders located outside the Île-de-France region.
SMEs and Mid-Caps at the Forefront
SMEs, mid-cap companies, and startups account for 55% of the plan’s beneficiaries. Their share of funded projects exceeds that of large corporations and public institutions. This orientation corrects a trend from previous programs that favored major groups, while reinforcing the local economic impact of investments.
In industry, the supported projects range from modernizing production tools to building pilot plants. The guiding principle is rapid scaling, with financial and technical support provided from the earliest stages. Many projects align with the principles of Industry 4.0 in France, with targeted investments in automation, robotics, connected sensors, and data analytics.
A Lever for Regional Anchoring and Skills Development
Eighteen regions have signed agreements with the State under the regionalized component of the plan. By the end of 2024, more than 980 projects had been supported at the local level. Visible effects include job creation, expanded training opportunities, and the structuring of new industrial sectors around key sites.
The goal is to build complete ecosystems capable of embedding innovation sustainably within regions. This approach also relies on upgrading workforce skills. The plan aims to create 100,000 new training opportunities in future-oriented industrial professions.
Critical Technologies and Skills: Two Conditions for Lasting Impact
France 2030 also funds the enablers that make long-term industrial transformation possible: workforce qualification and domestic production of strategic technologies.
Training 400,000 People a Year in Key Industrial Sectors
The goal is to create training programs tailored to hydrogen production, batteries, electronic components, and industrial cybersecurity. The plan targets technicians, engineers, and specialized operators. Institutions such as Paris-Saclay are developing curricula supported by France 2030. Teaching equipment is also co-financed in regions across the country.
Doubling Domestic Production in Sensitive Technologies
In 2024, €3.4 billion was committed to projects integrating artificial intelligence. The plan also supports industrial reshoring initiatives in semiconductors, critical components, and control software. The objective is to secure the supply of French industry for the next ten years.
Simplifying Tools, Accelerating Decisions
The Investment for the Future Supervisory Committee (CSIA) has raised concerns about the slow processing of some calls for projects. It points to the lack of consolidated indicators and limited clarity of mechanisms for SMEs. Its recommendations include simplifying tools and ensuring closer monitoring of funded projects.
The resources are in place, the priorities are clear, and the first results are visible — yet the transformation remains fragile. Industrial adoption is still partial, and the tools must become more transparent. Long-term effects on jobs and competitiveness will need to be assessed. At the same time, companies must be able to turn this public funding into sustainable investments.