Swedish investments in France
In 2024, Swedish companies significantly increased their investments in France, marking one of the strongest years for the French-Swedish economic relationship. A total of 43 Swedish investment projects were launched, representing a 59% increase from 2023. These investments, which created or maintained 851 jobs, were primarily focused on industrial, green, and innovation-driven projects. This surge in investments supports France’s broader reindustrialization and environmental goals, while also highlighting the growing strength of the partnership between the two countries.
One notable investment is by Essity, Sweden’s leading hygiene and health company, which has invested €125 million over five years to boost its production capacity in France. This reflects France’s attractiveness as an industrial hub, driven by its advanced transportation infrastructure, skilled workforce, and competitive low-carbon energy system. In fact, France remains the top European country for industrial investments, benefiting from sectors like aerospace, automotive, and green technology, which are home to world-class companies like Airbus, Thales, and Safran.
Swedish investments in France are also deeply rooted in sustainability. Sweden, a global leader in circular economy practices, has been actively involved in green initiatives. IKEA, for example, is developing a cutting-edge logistics hub in Limay (Île-de-France) that will use river transport and electric trucks to reduce carbon emissions. This project is expected to create 500 jobs. Additionally, IKEA’s RetourMat facility in Occitanie will focus on mattress recycling, contributing to zero waste and creating 40 jobs in the green economy.
Innovation and R&D also play a central role in the Swedish investments. France’s favorable environment for technological progress, aided by initiatives like the Research Tax Credit, has attracted several Swedish projects focused on research and development. For example, Sweden’s startup Evroc announced plans to build an AI factory in Mougins, a 96 MW data center for hyperscale cloud and AI workloads. These R&D investments are in line with France’s broader innovation goals, which include becoming a leader in emerging technologies like AI, where the country ranked first in Europe for AI-related investments in 2023.
The strategic partnership between France and Sweden is further solidified by the alignment of Swedish investments with France's France 2030 plan. This €54 billion national plan focuses on reindustrialization, green transition, innovation, and digital independence—pillars that are reflected in the nature of Swedish investments in the country. As these investments continue to deepen, France is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for Swedish companies, reinforcing a vision of sustainable and inclusive growth for both nations.