Chemistry generates a trade surplus of 10 billion euros, behind the aeronautics and on par with the wines & spirits. Of course, chemistry is a dangerous activity with 250 Seveso sites in France out of 1388, but it is a sector where France excels.
Behind the Lubrizol disaster, there are economic issues. The chemical plant manufactured additives for lubricants. This chemistry industry is strategic for the region and even the whole country.
We can easily say that these highly polluting trades in chemistry are industries of the past, declining trades and no future. This is totally false since chemistry is the country's leading export sector. It represents 61 billion euros in exports last year, ahead of the aeronautics 57 billion euros and the automobile.
Chemistry is therefore an area of excellence for France. It represents nine French Nobel Prizes and a trade surplus of € 10 billion, on par with the wine and spirits sector.
We do not talk about it because it is less attractive but we are wrong. This is an ultra strategic sector because chemistry is upstream of all activities. We need chemicals in the automotive, hi-tech industry, smartphones or electric batteries to make the giant blades of wind turbines. All this is chemistry.
However, chemistry is a very dangerous industry. The Lubrizol plant is also classified "Seveso" at "high threshold", high risk.
There are 400 Seveso chemical sites in France.
If we look at the map of France of these factories, we see that they irrigate the whole territory. They are found in order, in the Drome, the Alpes-Maritimes, the Rhone Valley, Gard and Jura. In all, more than 200,000 high value-added jobs support the territories. This is valuable at the time of deindustrialization.
This is why it is essential to shed light on this tragic fire in Lubrizol because this sector of chemistry is strategic for the country.