IFAT Institut de Formation et Assistance Technique en C.N.D et Métallurgie

What IFAT Institut de Formation et Assistance Technique en C.N.D et Métallurgie does

IFAT (Institut de Formation et Assistance Technique en C.N.D et Métallurgie) is a French professional training and certification organization specializing in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods and metallurgy. Operating from three training centers in Mâcon (headquarters, with extension opened December 2024), Bourg-de-Péage, and Feignies, IFAT delivers standardized catalog courses and customized on-site training for industrial enterprises in nuclear, petrochemical, aeronautical, automotive, and manufacturing sectors. Its enterprise client roster includes EDF, FRAMATOME, ORANO, NAVAL GROUP, KNDS, CEGELEC, ALSTOM, MISTRAS GROUP, TENEO, and FRAMATOME-INTERCONTROLE.

The company's product portfolio spans training across all major NDT methods — Ultrasonic Testing (UT), TOFD, Phased Array, Radiography (RT, including digital), Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT), Eddy Current Testing (ET), Leak Testing (LT), Visual Testing (VT) — plus metallurgy and materials science training (extraction, metal processing, heat treatments, defectology) and CAMARI radiological protection certification. IFAT operates three COFREND-accredited examination centers (CIFM 01, CIFM 14, CIFM 02) issuing ISO 9712-aligned NDT personnel certification at Levels 1, 2, and 3. Technical assets include the proprietary DigIFAT e-learning platform, harmonized across all training programs, and digital radiography equipment from DÜRR NDT GmbH.

IFAT operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of VINCI Energies (part of VINCI Group), structured as a private SAS with €50,000 share capital. Revenue derives from professional training services and certification exam services, with pricing not publicly disclosed. GTM is sales-led via direct enterprise engagement, regional training centers, and on-site customized delivery. The company has approximately 20 employees and 12 recognized technical experts holding 25 COFREND Level 3 certifications. Leadership transitioned from Pascal QUEVAL (2018–February 2025) to Hocine MAATEM on February 1, 2025. QUALIOPI certification (renewed 2024) and ISO 9712 compliance underpin the regulated training mandate.

Name

IFAT Institut de Formation et Assistance Technique en C.N.D et Métallurgie

Legal name

I.F.A.T.

Website

https://ifat.fr

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IFAT is a French NDT (non-destructive testing) and metallurgy training and certification organization operating three COFREND-accredited centers in Mâcon, Bourg-de-Péage, and Feignies. It trains and certifies industrial personnel for nuclear, energy, defense, and manufacturing clients as a subsidiary of VINCI Energies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial NDT Training and Certification Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), X-Ray Apparatus & Tubes & Related Irradiation Apparatus (3844), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Welding Inspection, QA/QC & NDT Prep Training (e.g., CWI) (EDAOADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) & Advanced Inspection (Phased Array, TOFD, Guided Wave) (EUAEAKAF), Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN), NDT/NDE Inspection Equipment (Ultrasonic, eddy current, radiography, thermography) (IMAGAFAI)

Keywords

• Non-destructive testing training
• Metallurgy certification courses
• COFREND examination centers
• Industrial inspection training
• Materials science training

Headquarters

HQ city

Mâcon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Services: IFAT generates revenue through providing professional training courses on NDT methods and metallurgy. Training is offered both at IFAT facilities and at client sites. They provide courses at various levels (1, 2, 3) with certification preparation.
2. Certification Exam Services: IFAT operates COFREND-accredited exam centers that administer certification exams for NDT personnel. This includes initial certifications, renewals, and recertification exams under ISO 9712 standard.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

IFAT provides professional training courses covering all non-destructive testing (NDT) methods — Ultrasonics, TOFD, Phased Array, Radiography, Magnetic Particle Testing, Penetrant Testing, Eddy Current, Leak Testing, and Visual Testing — as well as materials science and metallurgy training for industrial clients. The company also operates three COFREND-accredited examination centers that administer ISO 9712-aligned certification exams for NDT personnel at Levels 1, 2, and 3.

Product overview

IFAT is a training and certification organization specializing in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and metallurgy. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio organized around three main pillars: (1) Training courses covering all NDT methods including Ultrasons, TOFD, Phased Array, Radiographie, Magnétoscopie, Ressuage, Courants de Foucault, Etanchéité, and Contrôle Visuel; (2) Materials Science/Metallurgy training including defectology; and (3) COFREND-accredited certification services through three examination centers. Additional offerings include CAMARI certification preparation, the DigIFAT e-learning platform, and digital radiography services using advanced equipment from ACTEMIUM NDT-Products & Systems and DÜRR NDT GmbH.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Formation en Contrôles Non Destructifs (CND) Training courses covering all non-destructive testing methods including Ultrasons, TOFD, Phased Array, Radiographie, Magnétoscopie, Ressuage, Courants de Foucault, Etanchéité, and Contrôle Visuel. Targeted at industrial personnel needing certified NDT competence.
• Formation en Science des Matériaux / Métallurgie Training courses in materials science and metallurgy covering extraction, metal processing, heat treatments, and defectology. For industrial staff needing metallurgy competence in quality and inspection roles.
• Certification COFREND Niveaux 1, 2 et 3 Certification preparation services for NDT agents at Levels 1, 2, and 3, administered through COFREND-accredited examination centers. For industrial personnel seeking formal ISO 9712-aligned certification.
• Formation CAMARI Training for Certificate of Aptitude to Handle Industrial Radiology Equipment (CAMARI), covering radiation physics, radiation protection, and safety regulations. For personnel working with industrial radiology sources.
• Formation Ultrasons (UT) Training in ultrasonic testing methods including contact and immersion techniques, for defect detection and thickness measurements. Targeted at NDT operators needing Level 1, 2, or 3 ultrasonic competence.
• Formation TOFD Training in Time Of Flight Diffraction method for detecting defects in butt welds and measuring thickness for corrosion detection. For industrial NDT operators working on welds and corrosion monitoring.
• Formation Ressuage (PT) Training in liquid penetrant testing method for detecting surface-breaking defects on non-porous materials. For NDT operators across industrial sectors.
• Formation Magnétoscopie (MT) Training in magnetic particle testing for detecting surface and near-surface defects on ferromagnetic materials. For NDT operators in industrial inspection roles.
• Formation Radiographie (RT) Training in radiographic testing including X-ray and gamma radiation (Iridium 192), covering both analog and digital radiography. For NDT operators working with radiological inspection methods.
• Formation Etanchéité (LT) Training in leak testing methods including bubble testing, pressure variation measurement, and helium tracer techniques. For NDT operators responsible for integrity and leak detection.
• Formation Contrôle Visuel (VT) Training in visual testing methods including direct and indirect (remote) visual inspection using endoscopes, fiberscopes, and video endoscopes. For NDT operators performing visual inspection tasks.
• Formation Courants de Foucault (ET) Training in eddy current testing for discontinuity detection, conductivity measurement, material sorting, and coating measurements. For NDT operators in inspection and quality roles.
• Centres d'Examen COFREND Three COFREND-accredited examination centers (CIFM 01 in Bourg-de-Péage, CIFM 14 in Mâcon, CIFM 02 in Feignies) for NDT personnel certification in various methods and levels under ISO 9712. For industrial employers needing certified NDT workforce.

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• VINCI EnergiescoreOthersIFAT is an enterprise of VINCI Energies group, which accelerates digital transformation and energy transition. VINCI Energies operates in 61 countries with 102,600 collaborators and generated €20.4 billion in revenue in 2024.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bureau Veritas: Global TIC giant offering testing, inspection and certification across industries including NDT-adjacent services. While not specialized in training like IFAT, it competes for related industrial compliance and certification work for shared customers in nuclear, energy and transport.
• Mistras Group: US-headquartered provider of NDT inspection services and integrity engineering with significant European presence and a customer overlap with IFAT (MISTRAS GROUP is itself an IFAT client). Comparable as a vertically integrated NDT player, though Mistras is larger and inspection-focused rather than training-focused.
• Intertek France: Global TIC provider with French operations covering industrial testing, inspection and certification. Comparable to IFAT as a TIC player serving shared industrial end-markets, though training is a smaller part of Intertek's portfolio.

Direct peers

• Cetim (Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques): French technical center providing mechanical engineering expertise, materials testing and professional training for industrial sectors. Cetim is directly comparable to IFAT in metallurgy and materials science training, and serves overlapping French industrial customers.
• SOCOTEC: Major French TIC firm offering inspection, testing and training services, including NDT and metallurgy programs. SOCOTEC competes head-to-head with IFAT for COFREND certification courses and industrial training contracts in France.
• Apave: French leader in testing, inspection and certification (TIC) with a significant training division covering NDT, safety and technical skills. Apave is the most direct competitor to IFAT in COFREND-accredited NDT training and certification in France.

Regional players

• DEKRA France: German TIC leader's French subsidiary offering testing, inspection, certification and training including NDT and industrial safety courses. Comparable training offerings and similar French customer base in industrial and energy sectors.
• TÜV Rheinland France: German TIC multinational's French operation offering industrial inspection, training and personnel certification including NDT. Comparable in training/certification offerings but operates from a broader international base rather than a France-only footprint.
• TÜV SÜD France: German TIC multinational with French operations providing testing, inspection, certification and training for industrial clients. Overlaps with IFAT in industrial safety, NDT and metallurgy-related training, though with a much broader international portfolio.

Others

• AFNOR Certification / AFNOR Compétences: French standards body that delivers certification programs and personnel qualification services in France. Comparable as a domestic certification and training provider in regulated technical domains, though focused on standards-based certification rather than NDT method-specific training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ifat-institut-de-formation-et-assistance-technique-en-c-n-d-et-m%C3%A9tallurgie

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IFAT Institut de Formation et Assistance Technique en C.N.D et Métallurgie