Haguenau. The industry innovates and moves closer to the defense sector

While inside the Halle aux houblons, a humanoid robot wanders through the aisles and gracefully dances on the central stage, outside it is the deployment of the EFA, a floating military bridge several meters long once unfolded, which is the highlight of the show.

At the 6th industry fair in Haguenau, on Friday, March 27th in the afternoon, one of the major trends of the moment is on display: the strengthening of the link between industry and the army, driven by the rearmament policy.

“It’s really a topic that wasn’t on the agenda a few years ago,” confirms Jean-Michel Staerlé, the president of the Résilien network of innovative industrialists in Northern Alsace. The army approached Résilien to develop its subcontracting capabilities. This fair also interests the military, as it allows them to see a map of expertise firsthand.

Among the most visible beneficiaries of this trend is the SME Cefa from Soultz-Sous-Forêts, a long-time direct supplier to the army which recently secured significant contracts. “We are in a good dynamics. We have signed for demining and crossing equipment,” says Frédéric Schmidt, the CEO.

But the market shares within the armed forces can also represent an interesting new opportunity for groups looking to diversify, for example, “to compensate for losses in struggling sectors such as the automobile sector,” adds Jean-Michel Staerlé.

The company Acea from Gundershoffen, which employs around 70 people, designs electronic cards for a wide range of uses (medical, industrial electronics, etc.) and is currently in discussions with the army for a contract. “A budding project,” for which no further information will be provided at the SME’s stand.

Emerging Technologies

The fair also showcases that technological innovation is not only driven by major local industries (Siemens, SEW Usocome, and Schaeffler) but also by startups. Such as Geolith and its technology for direct lithium extraction, presented as faster and more virtuous than the classical evaporation method, hoping to industrialize by 2028 and has a reserved ground in the aerodrome business area for a potential factory. And Eifhytec, which designs hydrogen compressors for industrial and mobility use (bicycles, cars, trucks).

“The goal is to have a factory in Haguenau in the long run,” explains Matteo Griveau, Research and Development engineer. “On the TRL scale [which classifies technology maturity level], we are at 7 out of 9.” Others are also making money, like Silicéo and their cold transformation process and recycling of industrial waste from crystal and glass into jewelry and watch components.

The fair “Dive into the heart of industry” continues on Saturday, March 28th at the Halle aux houblons in Haguenau, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free entry.