Press Release: State aid : Commission authorises aid scheme by French Agence de l’innovation industrielle for BioHub R&D programme

The European Commission has authorised French aid for the BioHub R&D programme under the Community state aid rules. Companies and research laboratories from a number of Member States are working together on this programme, which is being led by French starch supplier Roquette. Its objective is to develop new environmentally friendly chemical products and processes. Aid totalling €41.8 million will be provided under the aid scheme, which has already been approved by the Commission (see IP/06/1020). The Commission takes the view that the scheme meets the conditions for state aid for research and development, in particular in terms of aid intensity and its incentive effect.