The
Laboratory Market in France
A Slight Upturn in 2005 and Previsions 2006
The CIFL (Comité Interprofessionnel
des Fournisseurs du Laboratoire - Interprofessional Committee of Laboratory
Suppliers), initiator of Forum LABO & Forum BIOTECH, has announced,
at its General Assembly held on March 7, an increase of 2.6% in the Laboratory
market in France for the year 2005.
The CIFL, a professional association comprising 167 laboratory suppliers
in the fields of Research, Development, Analysis and Control, is representing
more than 80% of this market.
After two consecutive years with a drop in activity, closely linked to
relocation in the Chemistry and Pharmacy sectors and to a freeze in Public
Research expenditure, 2005 registered an upturn, mainly noticeable in
the 4th quarter, intimating a recovery in investments.
These results are supported by a recent market survey, conducted by the
CIFL with the help of Alcimed, which forecasts a slight expansion in activity
in 2006 and 2007.
However, the average increase of 2.6% must be put into perspective. Biotechnologies
recorded an overall increase of more than 6% in 2005 whereas the Analytical
Chemistry sector continued to stagnate, struggling to achieve a 1% growth.
Some sectors remain sensitive in this market of around 1.3 billion euros
(not including Medical Diagnostics) particularly the largest ones, such
as Chemistry and Pharmacy, whereas the Environment, Cosmetics or Public
Laboratories sectors show sustained vitality.
Nevertheless, at the moment when Forum LABO & Forum BIOTECH, the key
event for this profession, opens its doors, there is some optimism in
the air with the prospect of discovering new private and public projects,
particularly in relation to the combined actions of the ANR (French National
Research Agency) and centres of competitiveness.
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