At the heart of the Vosges, the Green Valley federates activities around eco-construction. It was recently selected to benefit from the policy of support for clusters implemented by the DATAR.

On May 4, Green Valley was given an award by the Ministry of Rural Areas and Regional Planning : conclusion of a call for projects to "reward clusters which are national examples". Under the auspices of DATAR, the selection committee (in which OSEO participates) has selected 42 winners, including one initiative from Lorraine, from among 112 candidates. The "enterprise clusters" form " a special category of clusters ", consisting in particular of SMBs in the same sector "that incorporate large companies when that is appropriate."These have "a core group anchored on a territory" facilitating cooperation with actors in public and private training, innovation, research, employment and skills. They also provide services "through collective action" in terms of work organization, marketing or international development.

A special feature of the cluster located in Golbey : it brings together companies in the green economy. Starting with the French establishment of the Norwegian group Norske Skog - Europe's leading newsprint company - certified for its environmental management system. Within the Fibres cluster, it participates in oversight of eco-technologies and chemical enhancement projects for timber. Another pillar of the Green Valley: nr Gaia. This new startup aims to become No. 1 in France for the production of cotton cellulose, an insulation material used in building eco-buildings and in housing renovation. The two partners have combined their expertise in this project. Nr Gaia is even implanted in Norske Skog, and has become a shareholder alongside the Community of Communes of Epinal Golbey and the Lorraine Eurocapital funds.

Founded in 2009, SEM Green Valley also allows entry of start-up capital to accelerate deployment. It is now a question of " creating 20 new high-growth business, which means generating 100,000 million euros of orders within 3 years, [...] and 300 jobs." The new national policy to support clusters will support and encourage this type of dynamic with a specific budget of 20 million euros in 2010 and 2011, and will rely on coordination committees established by regional prefects. A second wave of promotion should be launched in the second half of 2010.

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File : Eco-Material Fibers A unique French competitiveness pole dedicated to fibers and fibrous materials, the Fibers Pole works so that an innovative, high-performance and durable development-oriented sector emerges.