AGROLAB News

AGROLAB puts down roots in France with a new environmental analysis laboratory in Heudebouville

A European project for the Normandy economy

8 September 2025 marks a key milestone for the AGROLAB GROUP: the official laying of the foundation stone for its future laboratory in Heudebouville, in the Eure Department (27), France.

This project, at the crossroads of European ambitions and regional development, illustrates the GROUP's commitment to establishing long-term roots as close as possible to its French customers, with a strong desire to set up its first COFRAC-accredited laboratory. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the GROUP, project partners and local councillors.

Innovative infrastructure for a sustainable future

The laboratory being built at Heudebouville will be entirely dedicated to environmental analyses. It will offer cutting-edge expertise in the analysis of soil and water (surface, underground and waste). Situated on a 15,000 m² site, the building will cover around 5,000 m² of laboratory and technical space. It will house cutting-edge equipment and offer capacity for expansion.

"We believe the environment deserves the best —and we build the future it needs," states Paul Wimmer, CEO of AGROLAB GROUP. The future site is intended to become a benchmark technical centre for all those involved in protecting the environment: design and inspection offices, pollution control companies, consultants, manufacturers, partner laboratories, local authorities and public works companies.

Designed to meet French and European standards, and COFRAC accredited, it will guarantee reliable, rapid and traceable results, directly linked to the challenges facing the region.

An investment in the future for the environment and local employment

This new laboratory is a consistent continuation of AGROLAB’s long-standing philosophy: being close to its customers and providing reliable, local analytical services. The GROUP is asserting its determination to act locally, as close as possible to its customers.

"France is a key market for AGROLAB. By building this first laboratory in the country, we are affirming our desire to be a local partner, responsive and committed to those involved in the environment", stresses Paul Wimmer, CEO of the AGROLAB GROUP. This site will also strengthen the GROUP's European synergies, while stimulating local growth and innovation. "This project represents much more than an industrial investment: it's a concrete commitment to the region, the environment and our future employees. We're proud to be opening this new chapter in Normandy“- Patrick Merland, OU Environment Director for Western Europe.

With the opening of this site in Heudebouville, French customers will benefit from an analysis process that is fully established in France. Samples can be deposited locally or transported over short distances, significantly reducing transport times and the carbon footprint. The GROUP thus maintains its commitment to providing optimum analysis times to meet its customers' needs. By centralising logistics, preparation and analysis at a single site in France, AGROLAB is able to offer a local, demanding, high-performance service that is as close as possible to local players.

This industrial project will also create around 150 jobs over time, covering a wide range of professions: logistics, sample management and preparation, administrative support, as well as qualified laboratory technicians and specialist functions.

It's a virtuous circle that will help the GROUP to establish itself as the benchmark in Normandy for reliable environmental analyses, with guaranteed turnaround times.

From construction to operation: an ambitious, structured schedule

The project, managed by Axess , will continue over the coming months with the structural work, technical fittings and the gradual installation of analytical equipment such as GC-MS, HPLC and LC-MS* systems.

Particular attention will be paid to the environmental quality of the building and the energy performance of the facilities, in particular through the installation of photovoltaic panels to produce part of the electricity needed to run the site.

At the same time, AGROLAB will be setting up a temporary mobile laboratory on the site. The aim is to launch an initial activity as early as 2026, even before the main building opens. This will enable the business to get off the ground, the first staff to be recruited and, above all, the first COFRAC accreditation to be obtained.

The laboratory is scheduled to open in full in the last quarter of 2026, with a gradual build-up and strengthening of the teams over time.

The project in figures

• 15,000 m² of land at Heudebouville
• 5,000 m² of laboratories and technical facilities
• 150 jobs created by 2028
• 1st AGROLAB laboratory in France
• 2026 (Q1): commissioning of the mobile laboratory
• Last quarter of 2026: full opening of the site
• COFRAC objective: environmental accreditation from launch