In addition to supporting company projects, VEGEPOLYS runs two innovation centres:

• VALINOV
• Plante & Cité

The Centre of Innovation and Technology Transfer helps private companies to meet their innovation and R&D requirements. It provides the expertise and material resources required for successful completion of the innovation and R&D projects defined by the companies and research laboratories.

The Centre relies on scientific and technological expertise from the specialised plant research laboratories, in particular the Mixed Research Units, INRA, the University of Angers, and INH. The Centre makes research from three different areas:

Plant breeding:

This project draws on research skills already present in both the public and private sectors. It comprises research, development, and transfer programmes for the creation of varieties in the different branches: vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants, aromatic and medicinal plants and mushrooms.It also provides product quality assessments based on physical, sensory and nutritional analyses right through to the study of innovation acceptance factors in collaboration with the laboratories at INH and ESA.

Plants and seed health:

This project covers 6 subjects:

- development of new methods for rapid, simple, reliable and acknowledged diagnosis and detection

- routine diagnosis and detection of pathogens laboratories

- diagnosis in the field and phytosanitary monitoring

- development of control methods, notably the use of alternatives to phytosanitary products

- monitoring international phytosanitary regulations

- official recognition of methods

Health and well-being properties of plants:

....and more particularly, the potential antioxidant qualities of specialised plants.

This project implements an original, collective R&D approach to "health and well-being" uses for plants. It consists of looking for diversification channels for local production with "health and well-being" potential. These must enable companies to explore new markets in which to develop their business. An initial programme will assess the antioxidising and antiradical power of plants or plant materials in the diet in order to highlight the value of their positive impact on health. The species concerned might include the artichoke, artichoke thistle (cardoon), carrot, blackcurrant, cabbage, cucumber, strawberry, raspberry, lettuce, lamb's lettuce, leek, apple, radish, grape, tomato and tea.

For more information:  VALINOV

Plante & Cité is a national technical centre specialised in the field of landscapes and urban horticulture. Set up in 2006 as part of the specialist plant competitive cluster, Plante & Cité aims to meet the technical advice and experimentale requirements of those in charge of green spaces.

A pilot association has been set up by the representatives of local government land management services, research bodies  and organisations providing technical support to professionals.

To deal with the environmental, economic, and societal constraints that affect the setting up of green areas and management of plant assets, Plante & Cité sets itself the goal of acting as a catalyst for innovation and advancement of knowledge. This approach must take account of all the upstream branches of ornamental horticulture and the agricultural suppliers directly involved in the business.

Requirements are high as regards experimentation and finalised research. To provide a response, the Plante & Cité missions involve:

• Organising research and experimentale programmes on subjects chosen by professionals and scientists
• Running experiments, conducted with local government and partner companies
• Providing a technology watch and ensuring technology and innovation transfer to green space managers

Local government and trade associations can become members of Plante & Cité and participate in plant experiments.

Study and experimentation projects cover six scientific and technical issues each sponsored by a steering group bringing together representatives of local government services, companies, and research laboratories:

Agronomics and artificialisation of town soil

• Improvement of the physical fertility of town soils
• Management of water usage, etc.

Sanitary management and integrated biological protection

• Integrated Biological Protection from emerging pests in green spaces
• Management of adventive flora on roadways, etc.

Plant innovation and diversification

• Diversification work on the use of plants (tree trunk surrounds, roof coverage, etc.)
• Diversification work on adapting plants to difficult urban locations, droughts, etc.

Economics and management of green space services

• Assessment of ways of maintaining and managing green spaces
• Creation of databases and environmental management indicators for example Agenda 21.

Urban ecology and biodiversity management

• Measurement of the impact of management methods on biodiversity levels
• Definition of technical itineraries that provide better compatibility with the functioning of ecosystems in towns and town surroundings.

Urban landscape

• Methodology tools for space planning and diagnosis
• Study of urban shapes.

For more information : Plante&Cité