In Heudebouville, in Eure, the German group AGROLAB is building its first laboratory in France. The major project is set to establish Normandy as a new reference location for environmental testing and create 150 jobs by 2028.
First French laboratory at the heart of the Seine Valley
AGROLAB has chosen Normandy as the location from which to develop its activities in France.
Founded in Germany in 1986, the group specialises in laboratory testing in the fields of the environment, water, agriculture and food. Already commercially active in France, AGROLAB is now taking a further step forward with the construction of its first French laboratory at Ecoparc 3 in Heudebouville.
The project reflects the group’s ambitions: a 15,000 m² site, including approximately 5,000 m² dedicated to laboratories and technical facilities, equipped with state-of-the-art analytical technology.
The project is expected to create 150 jobs by 2028, covering roles ranging from logistics and sample preparation to laboratory technicians and specialist positions.
Why Normandy?
AGROLAB’s choice of Heudebouville reflects both industrial and geographical considerations.
Until now, some samples originating in France have been analysed in the Netherlands. As volumes increased, AGROLAB wanted to bring its analytical capacity closer to its French customers.
Located close to the Paris region and at the heart of the Seine Valley, Heudebouville offers both a strategic logistics location and proximity to a dense industrial ecosystem.
The Seine-Eure area also supported the company throughout its investment process, helping identify the site at Ecoparc 3 and setting up, together with France Travail, a dedicated recruitment unit for future recruitments.
A flagship facility for environmental testing
The future laboratory will focus on environmental testing, with expertise covering soil and surface water, groundwater and wastewater.
AGROLAB aims to establish it as a leading technical facility, capable of processing several thousand samples per day. The group describes it as a laboratory designed to bring together technologies and best practices developed over its 40 years of experience.
The facility will also enable the entire testing process to be carried out in France, from sample reception through to the delivery of results. Bringing these operations closer to customers should help reduce the distances travelled by samples and shorten processing times.
A long-term investment in the region
Following the laying of the foundation stone in September 2025, construction has gradually taken shape in Heudebouville. Foundations, the main structural framework and the roof structure have marked the first major stages of the project.
AGROLAB is now planning to bring the laboratory fully into operation in the second quarter of 2027, followed by a gradual expansion of the workforce towards the 150 jobs announced for 2028.
The laboratory’s advanced analytical technologies are also benefiting from support from the Normandy Region and co-financing from the European Union through the Just Transition Fund (JTF).
With this project, AGROLAB is doing more than simply selecting a site for its first French laboratory. The group is establishing the next stage of its European development in Normandy, closer to its customers and within reach of a major industrial talent pool.
