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Digital Industry / IT

DUNKIRK ON THE PATH TO INDUSTRY 4.0

Thanks to advancements in information technology, mobile communications, and robotics, digital technologies have become indispensable to businesses around the world.

In Dunkirk, digital development is supporting the transition of industries toward sustainable development and decarbonization.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY DRIVING REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION

  1. Digital Technology: A Sector in Flux
Digital Industry / IT

Digital Technology: A Sector in Flux

In Dunkirk, digital technology is transforming industry, the local area, and the port facilities. From infrastructure to cybersecurity, including data, AI, 5G, and its new applications, digital technology is becoming a driver of transformation. Supported by a dynamic ecosystem, it helps to strengthen innovation, competitiveness, and the appeal of the Dunkirk region.

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FRENCH TECH: MAKING FRANCE A STARTUP NATION

French Tech refers to the ecosystem of French startups, both in France and internationally. It brings together entrepreneurs, investors, major corporations, and support organizations across all sectors.

  • Its mission: to enhance France’s appeal in order to foster and accelerate the growth of startups capable of expanding internationally, while addressing major current challenges such as the ecological transition and technological innovation.
  • Certified as a French Tech region since 2019, the Dunkerque-Côte d’Opale region reaffirms its commitment to innovation, particularly in supporting the digital and industrial transformation of port and industrial activities.
Digital Industry / IT

How does ÉCOSYSTÈMED support digital development?

Supporting the region in the area of infrastructure

ÉcosystèmeD helps foster digital projects that benefit the industrial and port region, in collaboration with public, industrial, and economic stakeholders. Its role includes facilitating dialogue, identifying the region’s needs, and promoting the implementation of projects focused on topics such as 5G, data centers, artificial intelligence, and data management.

Support for business transition and transformation

ÉcosystèmeD supports businesses in their digital transition and transformation by raising awareness of the challenges involved and promoting practical applications tailored to their needs—including industrial performance, logistics, automation, maintenance, cybersecurity, and data management—in alignment with the region’s transition initiatives (DKHARBO).

This approach aims to engage SMEs, mid-sized companies, and subcontractors so that digital technology becomes a driver of transition, competitiveness, and adaptation for the entire local economic fabric.

Have a question? Contact the Engineering team for assistance.

Digital technology has become essential to the growth, autonomy, sustainability, and cybersecurity of businesses

Digital technology is becoming a key driver of business competitiveness, sustainability, and autonomy. Through collaborative initiatives, feedback, and innovation projects, ÉcosystèmeD helps prepare economic stakeholders to address challenges related to data management, cybersecurity, and adapting to new technologies.

5G Campus: A New Flagship Project for the Dunkirk Region

As the winner of the “Support and Transformation of Industrial Sectors” call for projects, led by the French government and the Hauts-de-France region as part of the regionalized France 2030 initiative, Dunkirk is launching the “5G Campus.”

This project, co-financed by Bpifrance, marks a new stage in the region’s development with this new facility dedicated to industrial and port applications.

Led by the Dunkirk Urban Community, ÉcosystèmeD, ArcelorMittal France (via the Dunkirk Digital Lab), and DEFI4, the 5G Campus will have the following key objectives:

  • Build an innovation ecosystem centered on 5G to serve industry and the port
  • Develop skills and practical applications to support companies in their digital transformations
  • Incorporate an incubator dedicated to urban, industrial, and port transitions to foster the emergence of new innovative projects
Learn more about the 5G campus
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The ArcelorMittal Digital Lab

The ArcelorMittal Digital Lab is a hub dedicated to the digital transformation of industry and the advancement of the regional ecosystem. As a true innovation platform, it supports not only ArcelorMittal but also local businesses and stakeholders in adopting digital technologies to enhance business performance. The Digital Lab leads and facilitates several strategic programs aimed at:

🔹 Accelerate innovation by developing collaborations with a broad network of partners—startups, SMEs, mid-sized companies, and large corporations—and fostering the emergence of innovative and practical solutions for the industry of tomorrow.

🔹 Develop digital skills by supporting employee upskilling through the training organization Défi 4, offering courses dedicated to Industry 4.0, new digital applications, and emerging technologies.

🔹 Raising awareness and uniting the regional ecosystem by regularly organizing conferences, after-work events, tours, technology days, and themed events to share digital challenges and inspire local businesses.

Finally, the ArcelorMittal Digital Lab leads the Digital Transformation and 5G Campus, an initiative dedicated to industry, ports, and local regions, designed to accelerate innovation, experiment with future technologies, and support companies in understanding and adopting 5G-based solutions.

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The incubator led by ÉcosystèmeD

Supported by ÉcosystèmeD, innovative startups will find within this incubator the resources, space, and team needed to foster their growth and scale up.

Startups are selected through calls for proposals that seek to provide concrete solutions and responses to regional challenges (such as the energy transition and decarbonization).
This incubator is designed to support innovative projects from a variety of sectors, aligned with the region’s urban, industrial, and port-related needs and dynamics.

Through this initiative, ÉcosystèmeD strengthens its role as a facilitator between entrepreneurs, manufacturers, public sector actors, and innovation partners.

Digital Industry / IT

PROJECTS AND KEY PLAYERS DRIVING THIS DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Digital Industry / IT

Launch of a data center to support the connected port

As part of its 2025–2029 strategic plan, the Port of Dunkirk plans to launch a data center dedicated to artificial intelligence and data storage.

As part of the “Connected Port” initiative, this project is part of a broader, both regional and international, effort focused on digital sovereignty and control over strategic data. It aims to strengthen the Port of Dunkirk’s Smart Port vision by supporting the modernization of port, industrial, and logistics operations.

Both locally and in the context of global competition among major ports, it will provide access to high-performance computing tools, secure sensitive data, develop digital and AI-related skills, and enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of the Dunkirk region.

More information about Dunkirk, a connected port

Read testimonials from startups

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Digital Industry / IT

DISCOVER SOME OF THE INITIATIVES AND KEY PLAYERS DRIVING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE DUNKERQUE REGION

Digitization of production and processes

Digital transformation involves helping companies implement Industry 4.0 technologies to digitize their production lines or processes

Baron Groupe and NCA Géoloc are among the leading providers of digital transformation services for businesses in the Dunkirk area. But there are many others !

3D Modeling and Digital Twins

3D modeling of industrial sites, buildings, or construction sites, as well as the creation of digital twins, offers a wide range of applications in industry. Companies such as WISE TWIN and Estadieu Geometre, for example, support businesses in Dunkirk seeking these types of solutions. There are other providers in the market as well who could assist you.

Digital services for industry

Digital tools enable many other industrial applications, such as Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)—which allows for the inspection of structures or materials without damaging them—and the location of underground utilities. Companies such as COFICE and NCA Géoloc, among others, offer these types of advanced technical services in the region. Need more contacts? Give us a call !

Digital Industry / IT

WHY IS DUNKIRK THE IDEAL TERRITORY FOR GROWING YOUR COMPANY ?

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