What IRT Jules Verne does

IRT Jules Verne is a private, hybrid public-private research technology institute (Institut de Recherche Technologique) headquartered in Bouguenais, near Nantes, France. Founded in 2012 and operating from a 7,000 m² NAUTILUS facility inaugurated in 2022, it employs approximately 135 engineers, PhDs, and post-doctoral researchers organized around five complementary technological expertise areas: Modelling and Simulation, Composite Materials Processes, Metallic Materials and Additive Processes, Robotics and Cobotics, and Monitoring, Inspection and Process Control. The institute serves major French and European industrial sectors including aerospace, automotive, naval, and energy with industrial members such as Airbus, Safran, Naval Group, Arkema, DAHER, FORVIA/Faurecia, Stellantis, and EDF, alongside academic partners including CNRS, CEA Tech, IMT Atlantique, and Ecole Centrale Nantes.

The institute's R&D platform combines physical experimentation (additive manufacturing systems such as EOS P810 and Tobeca 666 HT, hot forming, superplastic forming, robotic welding, RTM/infusion, NDT) with digital simulation capabilities including HPC calculators, stochastic modelling, model order reduction, and probabilistic approaches. Notable proprietary outputs include a low-shear mixer for composite recycling (FIBIAS++ project, enabling 50% CO2 emissions reduction and 30-35% weight saving versus metal), stochastic fatigue simulation for composites (SIMSCEF), and robotic welding additive manufacturing (ARWEN, 5x fabrication time reduction). Active R&D output includes 75 projects historically and 19 active projects within Modelling & Simulation alone, with quantified outcomes ranging from 20-30% manufacturing cycle reductions to 95% material recycling rates in projects such as Carbo4Power.

IRT Jules Verne generates revenue through three primary streams: (1) contract research services (Prestations de recherche) billed on a per-project basis to industrial partners; (2) collaborative R&D project funding combining multi-year industrial member fees with public financing from the French state and EU programmes (Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020); and (3) technology transfer and IP licensing to industry partners. Pricing is negotiated per-project and not publicly disclosed. The 2018-2020 strategic period was anchored by EUR 30 million in renewed member and partner commitments. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales to OEM members with community-led collaborative innovation, and the institute is expanding its reach via the PME Accès programme for SMEs and pan-European consortium participation.

Name

IRT Jules Verne

Legal name

IRT Jules Verne

Website

https://irt-jules-verne.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

IRT Jules Verne is a French hybrid public-private research technology institute in Bouguenais employing approximately 135 engineers and PhDs across five technological expertise areas (modelling & simulation, composites, metallic/additive, robotics, and monitoring) to deliver collaborative R&D and technology transfer to industrial members including Airbus, Safran, Naval Group, and FORVIA in aerospace, automotive, naval, and energy sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Industrial Research Institute

NAICS

Engineering Services (541330), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Systems Engineering & Technical Program Management (BPAHAIAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Product Design & Mechanical Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAJ), NDT/Inspection & Testing Services (Aviation) (IMABALAJ), Defense R&D, Test, Evaluation & Innovation (BPAIAHAC)

Keywords

• Applied industrial research
• Collaborative R&D programs
• Composite materials engineering
• Technology transfer services
• Modeling and simulation

Headquarters

HQ city

Bouguenais

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Contract research services (Prestations de recherche): Research services provided to industrial partners, including simulation & optimization of manufacturing processes, management of thermal processes, assembly process mastery, and structural sizing & reliability of composite structures.
2. Collaborative R&D project funding: Funding from industrial members (Airbus, Arkema, Daher, Faurecia/Forvia, Naval Group, Safran) combined with public funding (French state, European programmes) to conduct joint research projects. Projects include national collaborative projects and European collaborative projects.
3. Technology transfer and intellectual property licensing: Transfer of developed technologies to industry partners and licensing of intellectual property arising from research projects.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IRT Jules Verne is a French applied research institute that co-develops, with its industrial members, mature industrial technologies in five expertise areas — composite materials and processes, modeling and simulation, multi-material assembly, surface treatment, and recycling/recovery — through multi-year collaborative R&D programs, equipment-based research services on shared industrial pilots, technology transfer/IP licensing, and dedicated professional training aimed at the aerospace, automotive, naval and energy industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NAUTILUS: The name of IRT Jules Verne's research facility located on the industrial innovation campus in southwest Nantes Métropole

Products and services

• Collaborative R&D programs Multi-year joint applied-research programs co-funded by IRT Jules Verne's industrial members and French public funds, covering composite materials and processes, modeling and simulation, multi-material assembly, surface treatment and recycling/recovery technologies, aimed at aerospace, automotive, naval and energy companies.
• Equipment-based research services (prestations sur équipements) Contract research and testing services carried out on IRT Jules Verne's shared industrial pilots and platforms for member companies and external clients needing access to specialised composite, surface-treatment or assembly equipment.
• Technology transfer and IP licensing Licensing of patents, know-how and developed technologies stemming from the institute's R&D programs to industrial members and third-party companies in aerospace, automotive, naval and energy sectors.
• Professional training programs Dedicated training programs for engineers and researchers from industrial members and partner organisations, built on the institute's expertise in composite materials, modeling and simulation, multi-material assembly, surface treatment and recycling.

Quantifiable outcome

• CO2 emissions reduced by 50% using recycled thermoplastic composites (FIBIAS++)
• +10 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirbus is a key member and industrial partner of IRT Jules Verne, involved across multiple collaborative R&D projects including DESCARTES (thermoplastic composite fuselage frames), FACT (additive manufacturing), ARWEN (robotic welding additive manufacturing), and others. Airbus contributes industrial requirements and co-develops manufacturing technologies with IRT's research teams.
• SafrancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafran is a member and industrial partner of IRT Jules Verne, contributing to R&D projects in composite materials and manufacturing processes. Involved in FACT project (additive manufacturing for aerospace polymers) and other collaborative initiatives.
• Naval GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNaval Group is a member and industrial partner of IRT Jules Verne, engaged in naval and marine renewable energy R&D projects including PACE (intelligent pipe factory) and structural monitoring initiatives.
• ArkemacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArkema is a member and industrial partner, contributing expertise in advanced polymers and composite materials including PEKK development for aerospace applications (COSMOS project).
• DAHERcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAHER is a member and industrial partner of IRT Jules Verne, involved in composite manufacturing and renewable energy projects.
• FORVIA (Faurecia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFORVIA (Faurecia Group) is a member and industrial partner. It is a key partner in the FIBIAS++ project developing recycled thermoplastic composites for automotive applications, aligned with its Net Zero Emissions strategy.
• EDFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDF is an industrial partner engaged in structural health monitoring and wind turbine blade projects (ONSHORE, SHORE), contributing industrial requirements for renewable energy applications. EDF R&D collaborates on fatigue modelling of bonded composite joints.
• StellantiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStellantis is a key automotive partner in the FIBIAS++ project, committed to being carbon net zero in 2038, focused on vehicle weight reduction through thermoplastic composites for electric vehicles.
• IMT Nord EuropeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in FIBIAS++ project, focused on the manufacture of PET film from recycled materials such as crushed plastic bottles, and assessing the effects of shredding on material performance.
• CMOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMould maker in the composites sector, partner in the FIBIAS++ project contributing tooling expertise for recycled thermoplastic composite manufacturing.
• CNRScoreTechnology or IntegrationFrench National Centre for Scientific Research, involved in multiple R&D projects as academic partner, contributing research expertise across modelling, materials science, and manufacturing processes.
• CEA TechcoreTechnology or IntegrationFrench Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (technologies division), academic and research partner supporting advanced materials and process development.
• IMT AtlantiquecoreTechnology or IntegrationFrench engineering school and research partner, involved in PACE project and digital transformation research.
• Ecole Centrale NantescoreTechnology or IntegrationEngineering school and academic partner contributing to multiple R&D projects in modelling, simulation, and composite materials research.
• LoiretechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional SME partner of IRT Jules Verne, involved in ARWEN project for robotic welding additive manufacturing of INVAR tooling for composite draping.
• AxiomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional SME partner operating within the IRT Jules Verne ecosystem.
• Europe TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional SME partner involved in HPP project (high-power pulsed forming) alongside CONSTELLIUM and STELIA AEROSPACE.
• Airbus, APERAM, ARESIA, DAHER, FIVES, FLYING WHALES, NAVAL GROUP, CEA, Ecole Centrale Nantes (LHEEA), IRT Saint ExupérycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOMADE project consortium for liquid hydrogen storage insulation solutions, bringing together aerospace, naval, academic, and other research institutes to develop insulation technologies and associated manufacturing processes for LH2 tanks.
• NTUA (National Technical University of Athens)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinator of the Carbo4Power European project (Horizon 2020, Grant No. 953192) for next-generation wind and tidal turbine blades with hybrid and nanotechnology materials. IRT Jules Verne is a project partner.
• IKERLAN S. COOP (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead coordinator of the pAlramid European project (Horizon Europe, Grant Agreement No. 101192736) leveraging AI for aerostructure certification. IRT Jules Verne is one of 13 consortium partners from 7 countries.
• FORVIAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld's 7th largest automotive technology supplier, committed to Net Zero Emissions strategy, key industrial partner in FIBIAS++ for recycled thermoplastic composite development.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• CEA Tech: The technology research division of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). Comparable as a much larger, multi-site French public research organisation delivering applied R&D in materials, manufacturing and energy to industrial partners; IRT Jules Verne lists CEA Tech as a core academic partner.
• Fraunhofer Institute: Germany's leading applied-research organisation with 75+ institutes covering materials, manufacturing, production technology and automation. Closest international analogue to the IRT model: contract research for industry, hybrid public funding, and TRL-elevation focus.

Direct peers

• IMDEA Materiales: Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies in Materials. Comparable as a Spanish public research institute working on composites, metallic materials and structural simulation with industrial sponsorship and EU project involvement — narrower scope than IRT Jules Verne but similar academic-industrial model.
• Tecnalia: Spanish applied-research organisation with industrial membership across manufacturing, energy and transport. Closely comparable in business model (collaborative R&D, member-funded, EU project participation) and in its focus on advanced manufacturing and composites.
• IRT Saint Exupéry: French Institut de Recherche Technologique focused on aerospace, space and embedded systems R&D. Directly comparable as a sister IRT with the same hybrid public-private collaborative model, multi-industrial-member base (Airbus, Safran, Thales, Liebherr) and similar Horizon Europe participation (named partner in IRT Jules Verne's NOMADE project).
• TWI Ltd: UK-based independent RTO with global membership serving aerospace, automotive, energy and construction. Directly comparable as an industrial-membership RTO delivering collaborative R&D in joining, composites, additive manufacturing and NDT — overlapping several of IRT Jules Verne's five expertise areas.

Others

• Arts et Métiers ParisTech (ENSAM): French engineering school and associated research laboratories with strong focus on mechanics, materials and manufacturing processes. Comparable as a French academic-industrial interface supplying research talent and collaborative R&D in advanced manufacturing.
• Carnot Institutes Network: French network of 39 Carnot-certified research institutes delivering contract R&D to industry, with funding model and partner-base structure very similar to the IRTs. Conceptually a peer ecosystem that competes and collaborates with IRT Jules Verne for industrial R&D mandates.

Emerging players

• AIMEN Technology Centre: Spanish RTO focused on manufacturing technologies including laser processing, joining and composites. Listed as a European R&D partner alongside IRT Jules Verne (e.g., CARBO4POWER), with overlapping technical scope but a smaller scale and Spain-centric footprint.

Regional players

• Airbus Atlantic (Technocampus): Airbus's industrial R&D campus co-located next to IRT Jules Verne in Bouguenais, hosting Technocampus Composites and Océan. Comparable as a regional advanced-manufacturing R&D platform in western France with overlapping composites and aerostructures focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/irtjulesverne
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IRTJulesVerne
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/irt-jules-verne
• Instagraminstagram.com/irtjulesverne/?hl=fr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments1 record

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Frequently asked questions about IRT Jules Verne