A driver of competitiveness for the whole industry

 

Developing the global competitivity of a sector of excellence in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

The PASS Cluster has secured national Competitiveness Cluster and PRIDES certification (Regional Cluster for Innovation and Mutually Supportive Economic Development) in PACA and aims to become an international benchmark cluster in characterising, assessing and producing natural extracts used in the aromatics and cosmetics industry.

The PASS Competitiveness Cluster (Perfumes, Aromas, Scents and Flavours) is based on a vertical integration approach.  Historically present throughout the region, the sector comprises the entire value chain from cultivating perfume and aromatic plants all the way through to the production of aromatic ingredients and their formulation into finished products.   

These aromatic ingredients are intended for four main industrial sectors in key markets. These are perfumery, cosmetic products, detergents and agri-food products.

A sector of excellence

The aromatic sector has been historically present in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and is :

• France’s leading region for the production of perfume, aromatic and medicinal plants and a global leader in the production of hybrid lavender (Lavandin) oil.
• An unrivalled concentration of companies producing aromatic ingredients which together account for more than half of French production. No other region in Europe has such a concentration of different companies in this business sector.
• A particularly dynamic and dense concentration of companies in the perfumery/cosmetics sector, all positioned in high growth-potential markets.

Missions

The aim of the Perfumes, Aromas, Scents and Flavours Cluster is to become an international benchmark cluster in characterising, assessing and producing natural extracts, and as such, to support the sector’s global competitivity in the face of major industrial change and strong societal trends.

It also aims to “innovate for a sustainable industry”, which signifies, in particular, changing practices in favour of more environmentally-friendly and more responsible chemistry.

In this context, its core missions are :

• to boost innovation projects combining all stakeholders (public and private sector) both upstream and downstream in the aromatic and cosmetic sector,
• to implement flagship technological programmes,
• to offer its members joint activities and pooled services.

• Les Pôles de compétitivité, moteurs de croissance et d'emplois
• Les PRIDES en Région PACA