Innovation: new headquarters near Nantes for the Institute of Research and Technology Jules Verne

Ten years after its creation, IRT Jules Verne is having its new headquarters built in Bouguenais, on the periphery of Nantes, to support its development. The €12.7 million investment will make it a major place for innovation in Atlantic France. 

Founded in March 2012, IRT Jules Verne is a mutualised industrial research center. Dedicated to advanced manufacturing technologies, it specialises in fields such as aeronautics, sailing, mobility and marine renewables. 

The institute needs to expand and move into a bigger office in order to face its development. The construction of its new head office, called Nautilus, has already started. 175 researchers will work there on technologies dedicated to industry 4.0. 

A new building to encourage open innovation

The new building of IRT Jules Verne has been designed to stimulate collaborative work between its teams on R&D projects. The construction of the new premises began in the first quarter of 2021 and the end date is scheduled for summer 2022.

The new office will measure 7,050 sqm and be located in Bouguenais, near Nantes, between the Airbus site and Nantes airport. It will welcome 110 employees, including 70 researchers. By 2025, the institute is planning to bring together 175 researchers. 

A €12.7 million investment to strengthen Atlantic France’s industrial attractiveness

This project, costing around €12.7 million, has been financed by the IRT by means of a loan. Nantes city council, Atlantic France regional council and the European Union are contributing €3.5 million. 

This key investment is part of an overall project supported by the Atlantic France region that aims to make this territory a national and international reference in advanced manufacturing. This ambition has already led to the construction of the Technocampuses Composites and Océan in Bouguenais.