Press Release: State aid: Commission authorises two French R&D aid projects totalling €119 million

The European Commission has decided not to raise any objections under Community state aid rules regarding the financial aid to be provided by the French Industrial Innovation Agency to two research and development programmes, "NanoSmart" and "HOMES". The Commission took these two decisions on the basis of the in-depth study required by the new Community Framework on research, development and innovation aid (see IP/06/1600). The NanoSmart programme for the nanotechnology industries is designed to improve the performance of microelectronic and optoelectronic components. NanoSmart is being carried out by the enterprise SOITEC in partnership with the research centre CEA-LETI. The HOMES programme, aimed at increasing energy efficiency in buildings, brings together Schneider Electric and 15 other enterprises and research centres. The state aid granted is €80 million for NanoSmart and €39 million for HOMES.