A competitive cluster created on the initiative of the Union
des Industries Textiles (U.I.T.) [Textile Industries Union] of the Nord region, which aims to support textile companies faced with international competition by promoting innovation through research and development.
Designated a national competitive cluster by the CIADT (French Interministerial Committee for Regional Planning and Development) on July 12th 2005.
Six strategic objectives
Enhance the status of innovation, research and development
Ensure the transfer of expertise
Develop the links between markets and innovation in business
Become a network leader, unifier and consensus builder
Act as an interface with other industries and regional, national and international centres of excellence
Satisfy an international demand in the fields of innovation, research and development via the European positioning of the cluster
Key participants in the cluster
U.I.T Nord (Textile Industries Union of the Nord region) ;
Textiles as materials suitable for numerous applications
The customisation of separate phases of mass production to give consumers the products of their choice without delay and at no extra cost, while providing a new way of redistributing added value throughout the entire chain.
What the UP TEX cluster can offer businesses
A collective momentum
Skills sourcing and strategic, economic and technological monitoring
Plus the Centre Européen des Textiles Innovants (CETI) [European Centre for Innovative Textiles].
Criteria for the official certification of projects
Projects must focus on the cluster's areas of expertise
They must involve at least two companies and one centre of expertise
At least 50% of the costs related to the projects must be covered by partners within the geographical region covered by the cluster.
The geographical regions covered by the cluster are primarily the Nord - Pas-de-Calais and the Saint-Quentin areas; however, all companies involved in the development of the textile industry may take part and benefit from the services offered by the cluster, wherever they are located.
Established by the Conseil Général (Departmental Council) of the Aisne,
the Chambre de Commerce et de l'Industrie (Chamber of Commerce and Industry), the Chambre d'Agriculture (Chamber of Agriculture), the Chambre de
Métiers et de l'Artisanat (Chamber of Trades and Crafts), the Comité Départemental du Tourisme (Aisne Tourist Board)
and the Agence de Développement de l'Aisne (Aisne Development Agency), the "Aisne
Numérique" ("Digital Aisne") departmental plan is also jointly financed by Europe, the French government and the Conseil Régional (Regional Council) of Picardy.
