Traditional Industries: Adaptation or Decline

Not all manufacturing sectors thrive. Traditional industries like textiles, steel, and basic chemicals faced severe contraction, offering lessons in industrial transition.

Textiles: From Mass Production to Niche Excellence

French textile employment fell from 600,000 in 1970 to 60,000 today. Survivors found niches:

- Technical textiles for aerospace and medical applications - Luxury fabrics for fashion houses - Smart textiles incorporating electronics - Sustainable materials from recycled sources

In Troyes, historical hosiery capital, companies like Petit Bateau and Lacoste maintain production by emphasizing quality and origin. Innovation centers help traditional firms develop technical textiles for new markets.

Steel: Consolidation and Specialization

Steel production concentrated in Dunkirk and Fos-sur-Mer after painful closures in Lorraine. Modern French steel focuses on:

- High-value products for automotive and energy sectors - Advanced metallurgy for aerospace applications - Hydrogen-based production pilots for decarbonization - Circular economy with high recycling rates

Lessons from Decline

Industrial decline's social costs shaped French policy:

- Early retirement programs easing transitions - Retraining initiatives with mixed success - Regional development funds for affected areas - Industrial policy favoring strategic sectors