What Pôle Team2 does

TEAM2 (Technologies de l'Environnement Appliquées aux Matières et Matériaux) is a French non-profit competitiveness cluster (pôle de compétitivité) founded in 2010 and headquartered in Lens, Hauts-de-France. It is the only national competitiveness cluster in France dedicated exclusively to circular economy and recycling, operating across five Strategic Activity Areas (DAS): strategic metals and rare earths, organics, minerals/building waste/polluted sites, French recycling equipment manufacturers, and innovative circular economy loops. Rather than developing proprietary technology, TEAM2 operates as a coordination and labelling platform serving industrial companies (SMEs and ETIs), universities and research laboratories, and sector federations.

The service portfolio comprises five core offerings: structured support for innovation project construction and access to regional, national, and European funding; a State-recognized project labelling process that unlocks preferential public financing; weekly strategic intelligence bulletins covering patents, scientific publications, and project calls; facilitation of collaborative R&D projects between industry and academia; and member promotion across digital and event channels. The cluster manages the CEFR sub-brand (formalized as an association in 2022, 18 members) for French recycling equipment manufacturers, participates in European collaborative projects (RAW4RES, BATMASS, 3DFORMWORKS, STARHAUS, CLUED-O, TRUSTEX, ECHT), and co-supports initiatives such as the PlastiLoop 2.0 industrial chair (launched July 2022, €1.8M, 4-year duration), which applies AI/ML catalyst discovery to polymer recycling via the REALCAT platform at Centrale Lille with Solvay.

The business model combines annual membership subscriptions (fees set by the General Assembly) with direct public financing from four institutional funders: the French State, the Hauts-de-France Region, the Communauté d'Agglomération de Lens-Liévin (CALL), and the Métropole Européenne de Lille (MEL). Non-members pay per-event fees (e.g., €50 HT for TEAM2EVENT, €100 HT for the plastic circularity event). Governance is exercised through a Bureau, Board of Directors, Scientific Committee, and General Assembly representing four colleges (SMEs, large companies, universities, federations). A 12-person operational team executes coordination activities; revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Pôle Team2

Legal name

TEAM2

Website

https://team2.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TEAM2 is France's only national competitiveness cluster dedicated exclusively to circular economy and recycling. Based in Lens, its 12-person team delivers State-recognized project labelling, strategic intelligence, networking, and collaborative R&D support to member SMEs, large enterprises, universities, and sector federations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Competitiveness Cluster Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Circular Economy & Sustainable Products (Reuse, Repair, Upcycling) (BPAGALAF)

Keywords

• Circular economy cluster
• Recycling innovation support
• Competitiveness cluster coordination
• R&D project facilitation
• Industrial membership network

Headquarters

HQ city

Annay-sous-lens

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Companies and organizations pay annual membership fees to join the TEAM2 cluster. Membership provides access to strategic information bulletins, networking events, project labelling services, and promotional support. The membership fee structure is determined by the General Assembly and is paid via cheque or bank transfer to TEAM2's account at Crédit Coopératif d'Arras.
2. Public funding from State, Region, and local authorities: TEAM2 receives financial support from the French State, the Hauts-de-France Region, the CALL (Communauté d'Agglomération de Lens-Liévin), and the MEL (Métropole Européenne de Lille). This public financing constitutes the core operating budget of the competitiveness cluster and supports the cluster's coordination activities, event organization, and project support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

TEAM2 is a national competitiveness cluster (pôle de compétitivité) that coordinates a French innovation ecosystem dedicated to the circular economy and recycling. It provides membership-based services including R&D project support, state-recognized project labelling for preferential public funding access, weekly strategic intelligence bulletins, collaborative project facilitation between industrial and academic partners, networking events, and member promotion services across five strategic activity domains: strategic metals and rare earths, organics, minerals and building waste, French recycling equipment manufacturers, and innovative circular economy loops.

Product overview

TEAM2 is the national competitiveness cluster dedicated to the circular economy and recycling, offering a comprehensive service portfolio centered on five Strategic Activity Areas (DAS): strategic metals and rare earths, organics, minerals and building waste/polluted sites, French recycling equipment manufacturers, and innovative circular loops. The core offering consists of innovation project support combining construction assistance, labeling services, and funding access facilitation; strategic information through weekly monitoring bulletins and newsletters; collaborative project facilitation between industrial and academic partners; European projects support; and member promotion services. The clustering connects members with laboratories, organizes events including the annual TEAM2EVENT, and facilitates networking through specialized clubs such as CEFR for French recycling equipment manufacturers. The organization also provides an intranet portal for members to access resources, webinar replays, and project documentation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CEFR (Club des Équipementiers Français du Recyclage): Club created by TEAM2 in 2018 to promote French recycling equipment manufacturers. Became an association in 2022 with 18 members.

Products and services

• Innovation Project Support

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple collaborative innovation projects labelled and supported since 2010, spanning strategic metals, organics, minerals, recycling equipment, and circular loops
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• ACSIEL Alliance ElectroniqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACSIEL Alliance Electronique is a reference organization in the electronics sector that works with contractors, institutions, and sector players. It stimulates and brings together SMEs, large groups, and laboratories through training in R&D and electronic product maintenance. ACSIEL collaborates with TEAM2 on topics related to circular economy in electronics.
• ADOPTA (Association pour le Développement Opérationnel et la Promotion des Techniques alternatives en matière d'eaux pluviales)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerADOPTA is an association under the French law of 1901, present in Hauts-de-France and Grand Est regions. It facilitates integrated and sustainable rainwater management by suppressing pipes and collecting and transporting rainwater. ADOPTA assists the construction industry in drafting content integrating water management aspects.
• AFPC (Association Française des Pôles de Compétitivité)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAFPC was created on 16 December 2013 with support from the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations and the DGE. It brings together 56 competitiveness clusters representing more than 12,000 members, acting as a direct link with the French State and European Commission. AFPC actively contributes to public innovation policy in France and Europe.
• AGRO SPHERESminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgro Sphères is an association that federates bioeconomy actors in the Hauts-de-France region. It supports project leaders in agricultural, food, cosmetics, and chemical sectors by facilitating synergies between producers, manufacturers, and researchers to promote sustainable innovation.
• AQUIMERminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAQUIMER is a competitiveness cluster specializing in aquatic products sector, supporting members in innovation projects. With a sustainable development objective, it seeks to balance increasing demand with resource preservation.
• ARIA Hauts-de-FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerARIA Hauts-de-France was created in 1996 in the automotive sector. With nearly 200 members, it aims to increase competitiveness of sector companies, supports businesses, organizes events, and acts with institutions and media.
• CD2EcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCD2E is an expert centre for eco-transition based in Loos-en-Gohelle. It supports businesses, local authorities, and territory stakeholders in circular economy, energy efficiency, and sustainable construction projects, providing technical support, training, and networking. CD2E's Director General serves on TEAM2's Board.
• ECOPALminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerECOPAL is an industrial ecology association based in Dunkerque. It facilitates inter-company synergies in flow exchange (materials, energy, water), service sharing, and co-development of sustainable solutions, actively contributing to the region's ecological transition.
• EuramaterialsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuramaterials is a competitiveness cluster in materials processing industries (textile, paper, cardboard, glass, wood). It supports actors with innovative projects to set up collaborations and exchanges across different sectors.
• FEDEREC Hauts-de-FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFEDEREC Hauts-de-France brings together recycling professionals from the region. It supports members in regulatory, technical, economic, and environmental matters, works to improve sector recognition, and promotes innovation in recovery processes. Federec's Area Manager serves on TEAM2's Board.
• CERDD (Centre Ressource du Développement Durable)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCERDD is a partnership structure that accelerates ecological, energy, and societal transitions in Hauts-de-France. It develops educational resources, supports sustainable territorial projects, and coordinates networks of public and private stakeholders.
• HDFID (Hauts-de-France Innovation Développement)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHDFID is the regional innovation agency supporting businesses in innovation strategies by facilitating access to funding, skills, and academic or technological partners. It acts as a catalyst for innovative projects with economic or societal impact.
• i-TRANSminorStrategic or Co-development Partneri-TRANS is a competitiveness cluster operating in rail, automotive, aeronautics, electronics, mobility, and logistics. It connects laboratories, SMEs, and large groups to increase company competitiveness through innovation.
• INNOV AminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnov'A is a regional association promoting innovation in agri-food and bioeconomy sectors. It supports companies in product development, process improvement, industrialization, and compliance, providing technical and strategic support.
• LIGEPACKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLigépack is a technological resource centre dedicated to innovative, durable, and responsible packaging. It supports SMEs, mid-size companies, and industrials in eco-design of packaging, material choices, recyclability, and regulatory compliance.
• PlastiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlastium is an economic excellence cluster created in 1992, bringing together actors of the Plasturgy-Composites sector in Hauts-de-France. Its objective is to increase members' competitiveness and enable collaborations between sector actors.
• POLYMERISminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymeris is a competitiveness cluster dedicated to plastics, rubbers, and composites. It federates a wide network of industrials, technical centres, and universities to support innovation, environmental transition, and industrial relocalization around polymer materials.
• PolyviaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolyvia is the Union of polymer transformers. The structure supports members to represent and promote their interests, anticipate sector trends, and keep members informed.
• RESEAU ALLIANCESminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRéseau Alliances is a business network committed to a more responsible economy in Hauts-de-France. It supports members in CSR approaches, offers tools and training, and promotes good practices through the Trophées de l'Économie Responsable.
• SEDDRE (Syndicat des Entreprises de Déconstruction, Dépollution et Recyclage)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEDDRe federates professionals of technical deconstruction, stripping, asbestos removal, and construction waste recycling. It acts for the structuring of the sector at the national level.
• SOLUCIRminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoluCir is a community of actors committed to the circular economy in Hauts-de-France. It facilitates sharing of experiences, networking, and dissemination of concrete solutions between businesses, local authorities, and innovative project leaders.
• UNICEM Hauts-de-FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNICEM Hauts-de-France represents extractive industries (aggregates, minerals, construction materials). It supports responsible exploitation of natural resources, promotes ecological transition approaches, and strengthens dialogue with territories.
• POLE AVENIAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPôle AVENIA is France's only competitiveness cluster dedicated to the subsurface sector. It brings together actors in geothermal energy, energy storage, geotechnics, mineral resources, and digital applied to subsurface, fostering collaborative innovation for sustainable exploitation.
• Pôle MEDEE (Maîtrise Energétique des Entraînements Électriques)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEDEE is an electrical engineering cluster that supports structures with research, development, and innovation projects to implement and elevate them.
• PôlénergieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPôlénergie is an association specialized in energy transition project support. It advises local authorities and businesses on energy mastery, renewable energy development, and resilience to climate change.
• S3PI ArtoisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerS3PI Artois is a voluntary initiative by local stakeholders to apply local governance and sustainable development principles to local decisions, studies, developments, and projects, integrating environmental concerns.
• SOLTENAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOLTENA is a regional cluster for circular economy and ecological transition in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It networks economic actors and supports actions, projects, and innovations to preserve resources, combat pollution, decarbonize the economy, and adapt activities to environmental challenges.
• FEDERREC Centre et Sud-EstminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Centre and South-East branch of FEDEREC represents recycling companies in those territories. It coordinates the local network of sector actors, defends their interests with regional institutions, and participates in sector structuring in line with environmental and economic challenges.
• Rev3 (Third Industrial Revolution in Hauts-de-France)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRev3 is the regional dynamic driving the Third Industrial Revolution in Hauts-de-France. TEAM2 is fully committed to this regional dynamic and is the designated animator of the ECNMD (Circular Economy and New Development Models) research dynamic, which brings together around 40 researchers from Hauts-de-France focused on circular economy issues.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• POLYMERIS: National competitiveness cluster dedicated to plastics, rubbers, and composites, supporting environmental transition and industrial relocalization around polymer materials. Comparable as a French competitiveness cluster with thematic adjacency to TEAM2's organics and recycling equipment domains.
• AQUIMER: Competitiveness cluster specializing in the aquatic products sector, balancing increasing demand with resource preservation. Comparable as a French competitiveness cluster partner, focused on a different vertical.
• Euramaterials: Competitiveness cluster in materials processing industries (textile, paper, cardboard, glass, wood), supporting cross-sector innovation. Comparable to TEAM2 as a French competitiveness cluster with overlapping membership base and partnership relationship.
• i-TRANS: Competitiveness cluster operating in rail, automotive, aeronautics, electronics, mobility, and logistics. Comparable as a French competitiveness cluster with formal partnership to TEAM2, focused on transport verticals.

Direct peers

• SOLTENA: Regional cluster for circular economy and ecological transition in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, networking economic actors and supporting circular economy projects. Directly comparable to TEAM2 as a French cluster focused on circular economy, but serving a different geography.
• FEDEREC: Federation representing French recycling professionals across regulatory, technical, economic, and environmental matters. Directly comparable to TEAM2 as a French circular economy/recycling membership organization, focused on industry representation rather than R&D project labelling.
• CD2E: Expert centre for eco-transition based in Loos-en-Gohelle (Hauts-de-France), supporting businesses, local authorities, and territories on circular economy, energy efficiency, and sustainable construction. A core strategic partner of TEAM2, operating in adjacent territory with overlapping mission.

Regional players

• AGRO SPHERES: Association federating bioeconomy actors in Hauts-de-France, supporting project leaders in agricultural, food, cosmetics, and chemical sectors. A formal partner of TEAM2 with overlapping membership base and shared region.
• ECOPAL: Industrial ecology association in Dunkerque facilitating inter-company synergies in flow exchange, service sharing, and sustainable solutions. Comparable to TEAM2 as a Hauts-de-France circular economy organization, focused on industrial symbiosis rather than R&D project labelling.

Others

• AFPC (Association Française des Pôles de Compétitivité): Umbrella organization representing 56 French competitiveness clusters with more than 12,000 members, acting as a direct link with the French State and European Commission. Adjacent enabling organization for TEAM2, not a competitor.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/showcase/club-%C3%A9conomie-circulaire-de-la-call/about/?viewAsMember=true

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pôle Team2