The mechatronics, composites and robotics sector in the basque country
The Basque Country is a major location for mechatronics, robotics and composites companies. The presence of established large companies, start-ups, technical platforms and incubators are just some of the reasons to set up or relocate your business in the Basque Country.
Composites company in the basque country
The composite industry is well represented in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region and is particularly booming in the aeronautics, automotive and marine sectors. The sector represents sales of 31 billion euros in France, generated by 3800 companies employing 133,000 people. 22% of these sales are exported (entreprises.gouv.fr)
The Basque Country has no shortage of assets and know-how in the sector, with the Technocité site in Bayonne hosting some 30 composites companies specializing in advanced materials, robotics and aeronautics, including:
Compositadour – The technical platform dedicated to composite materials and robotics at ESTIA (Ecole Supérieure des Technologies Industrielles Avancées). It fosters collaboration and innovation between research, training and industry. Major investments have enabled the installation of equipment dedicated to the manufacture of composite parts of the highest technological level (notably a Coriolis robot and a KUKA platform). Addimadour, which is dedicated to metal additive manufacturing, and Roboticadour are also part of the platform.
Pika Composites – A fast-growing company whose core business is the design and manufacture of high-performance composites and semi-finished or finished parts for industry, aeronautics and the marine sector. Customers include major aeronautical contractors such as Dassault Aviation, Astrium, Turbomeca and Daher-Socata.
Akira Technologies – Operating in various sectors: aeronautics, motorcycles (engine development) and the defense industry. In 2018, the company took over Anglet-based Price Induction, which specializes in aeronautical motorization, to further round out its expertise. It will also be setting up Turbolab in partnership with ESTIA.
Mechtronics companies in the basque country
According to Artema, the mechatronics industry association, “mechatronics is a technology combining mechanics, electronics, computing and new information and communication technologies”. For all sectors, and particularly aeronautics, its aim is to make systems and components more intelligent in order to constantly improve processes. Mechatronics companies in France generate sales of around 6 billion euros.
In the Basque Country, thanks to the Technocité cluster in Bayonne and the Izarbel Technopole in Bidart, we are fortunate to be home to innovative mechatronics companies that can easily develop and test solutions for local businesses. This is the case, for example, of 2MoRo, a Sopra Steria company specializing in software for the aerospace and defense industries. 2MoRo also has a research and development lab, where it works on augmented reality applications, technologies and concepts. As a partner to some of the biggest names in aeronautics, such as Airbus and Safran, the company is able to take advantage of the ecosystem of companies in the Basque Country to design offers adapted to market needs and trends.
Robotics companies in the basque country
By 2021, over 500,000 industrial robots have been deployed worldwide, including more than 84,000 in Europe alone. In France, the robotics market now ranks third in Europe. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2025, some 85 million jobs could be replaced or transformed by technologies such as robotics. These statistics show the growing importance of robots in various economic sectors, from the automotive industry, logistics, pharmaceuticals and healthcare (personal services) to agriculture and the aeronautics industry.
In the Basque Country, several companies have clearly understood the importance, potential and opportunities that can be generated by this industry. This is the case, for example, of Kompaï Robotics, based at the Izarbel technology park. The company develops several ranges of mobile and autonomous robots for the healthcare sector (assistance and logistics robots), as well as “Robosoft engineering” robots for all sectors: goods transport, cleaning, defense and security.
The company is booming, and recently raised €700,000 from a Norwegian robotics company to further its development.
Robotics mechatronics and composites : what are the benefits of locating in the basque country
The robotics, mechatronics and composites industry in the Basque Country is a historically dynamic sector. It is a growing industry, creating jobs and constantly evolving in the search of fresh innovation, new technologies and new production processes to make it more sustainable.
Thanks to ESTIA, our region has the qualified skills and training to develop this industry. The school has also developed a specific training program in partnership with the CFAI (Centre de formation aux métiers de l’industrie d’Aquitaine) to train the mechatronics engineers of tomorrow. The three-year Mechatronics and Embedded Systems Engineer program can be completed as an apprenticeship with leading companies in the region.
Proud to have helped set up composites, mechatronics and robotics companies over the last few years, BASQUE INVEST is here to help you identify potential avenues for your company’s development. Our aim is to help you discover all the assets of our region, its players and its ecosystem, so that you too can set up your business with peace of mind and in the best possible conditions.
