Successful mission in Japan: Polymeris explores new opportunities

From March 11 to 15, 2024, a Polymeris delegation travelled to Japan for a trade mission rich in discoveries and encounters. With the participation of Jean Jacques Legat, Polymeris Innovation Director, the mission explored new avenues of collaboration and strengthened ties with Japanese partners.

 

The mission was organized by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in partnership with Auvergne-Rhôle-Alpes entreprieses, Business France, BPI and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and also benefited from the participation of two Polymeris members: Microlight 3D, represented by Denis Barbier, and Addiplast, represented by Maxime Chantegraille.

Japan, as the world's fifth largest exporter of R&D relative to its GDP, is a major player in industrial innovation. This mission was therefore part of this dynamic, with the aim of strengthening technological and commercial exchanges between France and Japan, particularly in the field of advanced technologies.

 

The mission was organized in parallel with the Smart Manufacturing Summit held in Nagoya (Japan's industrial capital) from March 13 to 15, 2024. A 72m² regional pavilion was ideally located at the heart of the France pavilion.

 

The mission began with a visit to the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Japan (CCIFJ) in Tokyo. Nicolas Bonnardel welcomed the delegation and presented the workings and objectives of the CCIFJ. With its 150 members, half of whom are French and half Japanese, the CCIFJ offers a privileged framework for the development of commercial relations between France and Japan. Emilie Teruel, Director of Business Development, then detailed the business support services offered by the CCIFJ, highlighting its expertise in cultural outreach and event organization.

Pierre Bugel, international technical expert, highlighted the differences in approaches to research and development (R&D) and innovation between France and Japan. This presentation underlined the importance of understanding the specificities of each market for successful collaboration.

 

A visit to JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) Nagoya was also organized, where members of the delegation attended a welcome seminar and business networking sessions. Shuichi Hirano, Managing Director of JETRO Nagoya, presented an economic and investment overview of Japan, highlighting JETRO's initiatives to promote foreign investment in the country. A question-and-answer session provided an opportunity to discuss investment opportunities directly with the speakers.

 

One of the highlights of the mission was a visit to the Smart Manufacturing Summit (SMS) in Nagoya. Inaugurated by the Governor of AICHI Prefecture, the French Ambassador to Japan, the European Ambassador to Japan, Laurent Wauquiez, the President of the Auvergne Rhône Alpes Region and the Vice-President of the Occitanie Region, this trade show offered a privileged platform to discover the latest Japanese technological innovations in various sectors, notably automotive, aerospace and robotics. Laurent Wauquiez took the opportunity to announce his intention to develop.

The delegation also had the opportunity to visit renowned Japanese companies such as NTN Corporation and Musashi, specialized in bearings and gears respectively. These visits provided a deeper understanding of Japanese manufacturing processes and technological advances, while opening up prospects for future partnerships. Their message was focused on decarbonization (for example, bearing hardening accounts for 1/3 of their energy consumption).

 

Finally, during the evening's event to promote the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region, discussions were held on strengthening collaboration between the Japanese and French regions, particularly in the fields of hydrogen and artificial intelligence.

 

Despite the success of the mission, it was very broad in terms of targets to interest more Polymeris members, and no visits were made to companies in the polymer sector.