First plant: everything you need to know about the call for projects

Launched in 2022, the "Première Usine" scheme aims to stimulate industrial innovation in France. Find out all you need to know about this call for projects.

Presentation of the "Première usine" program

Creation and objectives of the call for projects

The "Première Usine" program is part of the France 2030 investment plan.

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This scheme has been designed to help innovative companies set up their first industrial production units, to encourage the emergence of successful industrialization by these companies, by enabling them to launch their innovative production plants in the region.

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It reflects a dual ambition: to transform key sectors of our economy over the long term through technological innovation, and to position France as a leader in the world of tomorrow.

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The program's role in France's energy transition

The "Première Usine" program plays an essential role in France's energy transition. By encouraging the emergence of new, innovative production units, it supports the decarbonization of industry and the reduction of its anthropological footprint. These plants often focus on clean technologies, such as renewable energy, electric mobility and the circular economy.

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The aim is to help France achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. In addition to receiving financial support, the program's winners are also given assistance in implementing their environmentally-friendly production projects.

BPIFrance, funding body and orchestra leader

Bpifrance plays a central role in the operationalization of the program. As a public investment bank, it is responsible for managing and operating the call for projects on behalf of the French government. Its mission is to support the selected companies in their efforts to set up and industrialize.

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Bpifrance also provides financing for winning projects. With a budget of €550 million over 5 years, it provides financial support for the establishment of pilot and industrial production sites, with the aim of bringing innovative products to market. The pooling of pre-industrial capacities for the benefit of start-ups is also encouraged.

Sectors concerned by the Call for Projects

The "Première Usine" Call for Projects (CFP) targets several business sectors, demonstrating its ambition to stimulate industrial innovation in a variety of fields.

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These range from biotechnologies to healthcare,agrifoods, batteries, materials and robotics. Other sectors such asaerospace, mobility,energy,automotive andaeronautics are also targeted. In addition, we can highlight areas such asagriculture, maritime, health/chemicals/pharmaceuticals, construction, logistics, digital and subcontracting. These sectors are identified as key and central to the government's reindustrialization and development strategy, which explains the mobilization of these substantial funds with the aim of creating jobs, growth, territorial dynamics and national competitiveness.

Eligibility criteria for startups and SMEs

To be eligible for the "Première Usine" call for projects, innovative startups, SMEs and ETIs must meet a number of criteria.

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Firstly, the project must have an industrial vocation. This means that the initiative must involve setting up pilot and/or industrial production sites.

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Secondly, these sites must be designed to bring innovative products to market. This means that the project must be at the cutting edge of technology and bring something new to the market. First plant projects generally contain a first phase to finalize R&D work (minor) and a second to set up the industrial chain.

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In addition, the company must be registered in France in the Trade and Companies Register (RCS) on the date the application is submitted.

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Thirdly and finally, only investments made in France and not committed prior to the submission of the full application are eligible.

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_{Applicant projects must have a total budget in excess of €5 million. Assistance will be provided in the form of grants (60%) and repayable advances (40%).}

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The precise and detailed criteria are available in the specifications for the call for projects.

The detailed application process

The application process for the "Première Usine" call for projects takes place in two stages.

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First stage: submission of the simplified application file. During this phase, the project owner is asked to provide only those documents essential to the assessment of the application, as well as a description of the project in the form of a deck of slides.

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Second stage: submission of the complete application. Additional documents, detailed in the specifications, are requested in order to carry out an in-depth appraisal of the project.

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Applications must be submitted exclusively online via the Pixcel platform, the extranet for innovative collaborative projects.

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_{Applying for this call for projects is complex, and may require the services of experts in project set-up. If you would like to benefit from their know-how, please contact us.}

Calendar: key dates to remember

Here are the key dates to remember for the "Première Usine" call for projects:

• Call for projects opens: 2022. It remains open until December 15, 2026.
• Intermediate relays: These take place three times a year, in January, April and September. For example, for 2024, the relays took place on January 16, April 16 and September 11 at 12 noon Paris time.
• For 2025, the announced dates are January 14, April 15 and September 9.
• Relief dates for 2026 will be set at a later date.
• Deadline for applications: December 15, 2026 at 12 noon.

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These key dates will enable you to plan your application and prepare it as effectively as possible. Please note that once the funds have been used up, the scheme will be closed, even if other, later relaunches were initially planned.

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Winners and program impact

Since its launch, the "Première Usine" program has had a significant impact on French industry and has been a real driving force behind the ecological transition.

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It has provided financial support for numerous innovative industrial projects. A total of 293 million euros was allocated to 66 projects, representing a total productive investment of 885 million euros.

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The program's winners have been able to develop and set up their first production units in France. These projects cover a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, agrifood, aerospace and mobility.

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The program's impact can also be measured in terms of job creation and boosting the local economy. Indeed, the location of these new plants contributes to the attractiveness of the region and to the country's reindustrialization.

Future program developments

In the years to come, the"Première Usine" program should continue to evolve in response to industrial and ecological challenges.

• Adapting to new technologies: With the advent of theFactory of the Future, the program could integrate more projects related to Industry 4.0, such as robotics, artificial intelligence or IoT.
• Increased support for energy transition: The program could consolidate its commitment to decarbonizing industry, by supporting projects focusing on renewable energies or the circular economy.
• Increased funding: Depending on the results obtained and the needs identified, the amounts allocated could be revised upwards.

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Première Usine is therefore one of the mainstays of the French government's strategy to reindustrialize and decarbonize its regions, which is fundamental to achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreements and the European Green Deal.

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Although the full impact of the scheme is expected to be felt by 2030, the initial results are more than encouraging, and emphasize the need for companies to share the risk they take during the industrialization phase.