Considerable potential
The textile industry benefits from numerous advantages in Lyon:
 | ancestral expertise (already highly technical at the time of the silk factories), |
| a complete education and research instrument, strengthened by chemical R&D centers. |
Lyon is the 1st French center for research and training in the textile sector. Its scope goes far beyond the region's borders.
| very high creative potential (all professions dedicated to textile creation are present), many conferences and congresses (science and industry meetings on new textiles and functional clothing, etc.) |
Professional specialties
| Silk weaving |
An inheritance from the 16th century, silk weaving endows the Lyon region with the title of historical silk capital. With 46 establishments, and with Lyon companies boasting technical expertise in the top-of-range/luxury markets, the urban area enjoys real notoriety in the world of fashion.
| Technical textiles |
The urban area of Lyon is now the European capital and global leader of technical textiles, and counts 170 high added-value companies, i.e. 70% of the production potential in France.
Its expertise in weaving the most delicate fibers, and its high potential for innovation (anti-bacteria and anti-allergic fabrics, "intelligent" fibers, fire-resistant fabrics, pollution-affecting fabrics, etc.), have enabled Lyon to position itself in many highly technical areas.
Furthermore, this sector enjoys the dynamic growth of groups specialized in textiles for technical use, such as Hexcel or Porcher.
| Textile finishing |
Finishing is the main textile activity, in number of establishments (60 establishments), and the Rhône-Alpes region is the French leader in terms of jobs (35% of jobs nationwide) and activity (1/3 of national turnover). The urban area houses well-known leading companies, such as Ateliers AS (Hermès group) (luxury), R.Mathelin, Komar & Co, and Chaîne et Trame (mid-range/bottom-of-range).
In the field of high added-value textiles, Lyon occupies a predominant global position, being the only region that covers all professions dedicated to textile creation. Moreover, it is the world capital for textiles for technical use, which is a major strength.
