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CARBON inaugurates its R&D center in Istres for the photovoltaic industry

CARBON and the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolitan area announce the creation of CARBON Lab in Istres, an innovation center for the solar industry, marking a key step in the company's development in Europe.

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The Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolitan Area and the CARBON company are committed to developing a center of innovation and excellence for the photovoltaic industry in Istres, called CARBON Lab. This project is part of CARBON’s strategy to strengthen its position in the European solar industry.

At the suggestion of Martine Vassal, President of the Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Council and President of the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolitan Authority, the Metropolitan Council has approved a construction lease with CARBON. This lease will enable CARBON Lab to set up on a 13.9-hectare site in Istres. The project involves the refurbishment of several disused industrial buildings, requiring an initial investment of €33 million (excluding VAT), partly financed by the France 2030 program. Meanwhile, photovoltaic projects are multiplying in France, such as the gigafactory at La Fois-sur-Mer.

Investments and economic impact

CARBON Lab will create 200 jobs in the metropolitan area, in addition to the 3,000 jobs at the Fos-sur-Mer gigafactory. Scheduled to be operational in 2027, this site will become a center of innovation and excellence, supporting CARBON’s other activities. In addition to technological innovation, the Istres site will host a research, development and innovation center dedicated to production processes and photovoltaic products, as well as part of the company’s training activities.

In a second phase, the site will house the Campus du Solaire, a nerve center for the entire solar industry and an international training center.

Statements by key players

Pierre-Emmanuel Martin, president and founder of CARBON, expressed his pride in this new location, underlining the company’s attachment to the South of France. Martine Vassal stressed the importance of this project for the region’s energy sovereignty and for the creation of sustainable jobs.

François Bernardini, mayor of Istres, and Frédéric Vigouroux, mayor of Miramas, also expressed their enthusiasm, highlighting the benefits for their respective communes and the importance of meeting today’s energy challenges.

CARBON Lab symbolizes the successful conversion of a former industrial site and a significant step forward for the solar industry in Europe.

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