Good Practice: Toulouse White Biotechnology cluster

Good Practice: Toulouse White Biotechnology cluster

Main topic: Good practices, case studies, pilots
Document / search engine: Good Practice: Toulouse White Biotechnology cluster
Framework project: Bioeconomy Regional Strategy Toolkit
Short name of the project:
Website link: https://berst.vito.be/sites/biobased.vito.be/files/GP%20Toulouse%20Biotechnology.pdf
CORDIS link if relevant:
Short description:

Good practices provide examples of regions that contain one or more successful bioeconomy clusters. Major lessons learned:
Related to Organisation – Stage: Initial/Drive to maturity – Develop a strong cluster organisation body with staff combining skills from industry and academia
Related to Organisation – Stage: Initial – Develop a «Cluster culture».
Related to Actors – Stage: Drive to maturity – Develop a broad network with other institutions from the relevant field as well as with other clusters, both within the country as well as cross-boundary, as this will provide access to latest information as well as a platform for dissemination and promotion of cluster members’ activities.
Related to Actors – Stage: Initial/Drive to maturity – Upgrade the competences of the work force, adapting the supply of vocational education and training to the economic trends and productive system needs
Related to Actors – Stage: Initial/Drive to maturity/Mature production – Develop an “open & participatory” approach within the innovation communication channels. Communicate and discuss findings, success and failures frequently.
Related to Biomass Supply – Stage: Drive to maturity/Mature production – Foster the cascading use of biomass and the circular economy in order to make full use of biomass potential
Related to Biomass Supply – Stage: Drive to maturity – In order to use primary and secondary biomass as feedstock for bioeconomy applications, consistent stakeholder dialogues and coordination needs to be facilitated.
Related to Products – Stage: Initial/Drive to maturity – Mature production Steer the development of new products according to the principles of smart specialization, resource availability and market demand and in this respect improve learning mechanisms from other regional clusters with a similar economic or geographical profile
Related to Products – Stage: Drive to maturity/Mature production – Start up financing from the industry creates better prospects for product development and market uptake.
Related to Products – Stage: Initial – Cluster management should be more engaged in and informed about product development of its cluster partners in order to monitor project processes, recognize potential cross-overs and facilitate cooperation.
Related to Funding – Stage: Initial/Drive to maturity/ Mature production – The future strategy and perspectives of the cluster should be carefully considered with the participation of the industry.
Related to Funding – Stage: Initial/Drive to maturity – Subsidies for initial investments can be critical for start-ups
Related to Funding – Stage: Initial – Ask for cluster participation/membership fee, as it will heighten the value of the membership to companies.
Related to Funding – Stage: Initial/Drive to maturity/Mature production -Ensure long-term (co-)funding from public bodies (e.g. ministry).
Related to Policies – Stage: Initial/Drive to maturity – Subsidies for initial investments can be critical for start-ups
Related to Policies – Stage: Initial/Drive to maturity/ – Mature production The future strategy and perspectives of the cluster should be carefully considered with the participation of the industry


Countries/regions described/represented: France, Haute-Garonne
Year: 2015