La Matière

What La Matière does

La Matière is a French ESUS-certified association (association loi 1901) founded in 2014 and headquartered in Périgny, near La Rochelle in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It operates as a hybrid tiers-lieu combining an association, an enterprise, and a community hub to deliver circular economy services across six interconnected activities: a ~600 m² Magasin des Matières (retail of recovered building materials requiring annual membership), sustainable space design and fabrication services (Aménagement d'espace durable), professional training and sensitization programs (Formation), DIY upcycling workshops (Ateliers Circulaires), an associative café (La Cafetière), and event space rental (Matière Grise).

The organization's physical infrastructure centers on a 1,500+ m² former industrial brownfield site acquired in late 2020 through partnership with the Communauté d'Agglomération de La Rochelle. Its core technology combines a Fablab equipped with semi-industrial plastic recycling machines (shredder, extruder, injection molder, press, 3D printer, laser cutter, CNC), developed with Precious Plastic France and Le Recycleur Fou, alongside a woodworking workshop and material-recovery operation. The proprietary Camion Circulaire (mobile circular truck) extends service delivery to festivals, schools, and corporate sites. Since 2014 the organization has accumulated pedagogical content covering 7 pillars of circular economy and tools including La Fresque du Climat, Atelier 2tonnes, and Circular Canvas.

Revenue is generated through seven streams: material resale, workshop fees (e.g., 32€ per upcycling participant), professional training (432€–1,080€ per cohort), event space rental, circular economy consulting (engagements include Groupe ERAM, Camif, GRDF, CdC Pays de Mortagne), bespoke sustainable space design and fabrication (clients include Librairie St-Sauveur, Tribord Sailing Lab, LA STATION, Paris 2024 Olympics Ecuador House), and annual association memberships. Customer segments span particuliers (individual citizens), enterprises (large corporates to SMBs), local and regional governments (municipalities, EPCIs, hospital networks), and training institutions. Headcount is approximately 14 employees.

Name

La Matière

Legal name

La Matière

Website

https://lm-lr.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

La Matière is a French ESUS-certified association (founded 2014, ~14 employees, Périgny/La Rochelle) running a hybrid tiers-lieu that delivers circular economy services — recovered material retail, sustainable space design, professional training, and consulting — to citizens, enterprises, and municipalities across Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Circular Economy Services and Reclaimed Materials

NAICS

Materials Recovery Facilities (56292), Waste Collection (5621), Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers (444)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Miscellaneous Furniture & Fixtures (2590)

akta.pro primary industry

Reuse & Resale / Recommerce Operations (EUAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Material Reuse & Upcycling Services (Non-recycling Transformation) (EUAIANAJ), Eco-Friendly Disposal, Recycling & Donation Hauling (HSAIAOAJ), Donation, Resale & Textile Recycling Coordination (HSAFABAI), Circularity Compliance, Traceability & Certification Services (EPR/Product Passports/Chain-of-Custody) (IMAOAMAJ)

Keywords

• Circular economy services
• Recovered materials retail
• Sustainable space design
• Eco-design training
• Upcycling workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Périgny

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Magasin des Matières — Material Sales: The organization collects recovered building materials (wood, furniture, insulation, windows, paint, leather, fabric, carpet, parquet, tanks, etc.) from partners and resells them at preferential rates to association members (partisans and professionals). Membership (adhesion) is required to access the store, valid for one year. The store spans nearly 600m² and also offers wood cutting services. Revenue is generated through material sales and annual membership fees.
2. Ateliers Circulaires — Workshop Fees: Participatory DIY upcycling workshops are delivered on-site and off-site (festivals, markets, corporate team building). Workshop fees are charged per participant (e.g., 32 € per person for upcycling workshops). Target audiences include citizens, youth (PASS'VAC), corporate teams, and community groups.
3. Formation Professionnelle — Training Programs: Professional training programs in circular economy topics (climate fresco, 2tonnes, eco-design, digital responsibility, etc.) are delivered to enterprises, educational institutions, and public sector clients. Pricing ranges from 432 € (2-day, individuals) to 1,080 € (3-day, professionals). A 3-day professional course is co-delivered with the Coopérative des Tiers-Lieux. Additionally, OSMOSE is a 6-month cooperative entrepreneurship training program for youth aged 16-25.
4. Événementiel — Event Space Rental & Event Services: The Matière Grise modular room is available for hire for meetings, seminars, and workshops. The associative café La Cafetière and event spaces can be booked for corporate events, seminars, cocktails, and team building activities. Custom event packages include local catering, animations, and hybrid conference solutions.
5. Expertise Circulaire — Consulting Services: Circular economy and eco-design consulting is provided to enterprises (e.g., Groupe ERAM, Camif) and public sector clients (e.g., CdC Pays de Mortagne). Engagements include waste reduction strategies, circular product design, territorial ecology workshops, and sustainable space design. The Artisans Réversibles program delivers RSE-focused training to construction sector apprentices.
6. Aménagement d'Espace Durable — Space Design & Fabrication: Sustainable space design and fabrication services are provided to cultural institutions (libraries, media centers), retail stores, municipalities, and enterprises. The organization designs, manufactures, and installs bespoke furniture using reclaimed materials, acting as a general contractor managing multiple trade partners.
7. Adhésion — Association Membership: Annual membership (adhesion) is a prerequisite for accessing the Magasin des Matières and other benefits. Membership fees contribute to operational revenue and fund the social and solidarity mission of the organization. Current membership drive emphasizes support for a more durable and responsible society.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

La Matière operates a hybrid tiers-lieu, association, and social-solidarity enterprise that collects materials destined for disposal and reintroduces them through a member-based retail store, custom space design and furniture fabrication, accredited professional training, and participatory upcycling workshops. It serves individuals, enterprises, and local authorities in Nouvelle-Aquitaine with circular-economy expertise, an on-site Fablab for plastic recycling and prototyping, and consulting services in eco-design and territorial ecology.

Product overview

La Matière is a hybrid structure combining a tiers-lieu (coworking/collaborative space), association, and enterprise focused on circular economy and materials reuse. The organization operates six interconnected core services: (1) Magasin des Matières - a 600m² retail store selling recovered construction materials; (2) Aménagement d'espace durable - sustainable space design and renovation services; (3) Formation et Sensibilisation - professional training programs on circular economy and ecological transition; (4) Ateliers Circulaires - DIY upcycling workshops for citizen sensitization; (5) Café associatif La Cafetière - an associative cafe serving as a community hub; and (6) Événementiel - event venue rental and services. The organization also provides circular economy expertise to businesses and local authorities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• La Cafetière: Associative café located within La Matière's Material Store, serving as a community space for meetings and ecological transition discussions.
• Matière Grise

Products and services

• Magasin des Matières A ~600 m² retail store selling recovered construction materials (wood, furniture, insulation, windows, paint, leather, fabric, carpet, parquet, tanks) sourced from professional partners at discounted prices to association members. Offers material adaptation services (cutting, planing, sanding) on request and seasonal offerings such as reconditioned bicycles (May–October).
• Aménagement d'Espace Durable End-to-end sustainable space design and renovation services for cultural institutions (libraries, media centers), retail stores, municipalities, and enterprises. The team handles conception, fabrication, and installation using material reuse, upcycling, and eco-design principles, acting as a general contractor coordinating multiple trades.
• Formation et Sensibilisation Accredited professional training and awareness programs for enterprises, public-sector organizations, educational institutions, and individuals, covering circular economy, ecological transition, sustainable development, eco-design, industrial ecology, RSE, carbon policy, and responsible digital topics. Includes 3-day professional courses co-developed with the Coopérative des Tiers-Lieux, the 6-month OSMOSE cooperative-entrepreneurship program for 12 youth aged 16–25, and the Artisans Réversibles RSE program for building-trade apprentices.
• Ateliers Circulaires Participatory DIY upcycling workshops delivered on-site at La Matière and off-site via the Camion Circulaire at festivals, markets, schools, and corporate events. Participants transform reclaimed materials into new objects. Pricing is 32 € per person for standard workshops. Formats include space-planning workshops, DIY upcycling workshops, and circular-economy discovery sessions for citizens, youth, corporate teams, and community groups.
• Café Associatif La Cafetière Associative café located within the Magasin des Matières in Périgny, serving as a community space for encounters, learning, and exchange around social and environmental issues. Open to the public during store hours.
• Événementiel (Event Venue and Services) Event venue rental and turnkey services at the tiers-lieu for seminars, conferences, cocktails, corporate evenings, and team building activities. Includes access to the modular Matière Grise room and the associative La Cafetière café. Custom event packages with local catering, animations, and hybrid conference solutions are offered.
• Expertise Circulaire (Circular Economy Consulting) Circular-economy and eco-design consulting delivered to enterprises (e.g., Groupe ERAM, Camif, GRDF) and public-sector clients (e.g., CdC Pays de Mortagne). Engagements include waste-reduction strategy, circular product design, territorial ecology workshops, sustainable space design, and facilitation of industrial symbiosis networks.

Quantifiable outcome

• Magasin des Matières spans ~600 m² of recovered building material retail space
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• CMA Formation LagordcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025La Matière serves as lead partner (chef de file) in a consortium of 5 actors delivering the Artisans Réversibles program, which includes CMA Formation Lagord. This project is part of the AMI Tiers-Lieux et Formation – DEFFINOV initiative of the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine. CMA Formation provides the construction trade apprentice audience and institutional framework for delivering RSE-focused circular economy training.
• Mission Locale 17 & Fondation Fier de nos quartiersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Mission Locale 17 (youth employment service) and Fondation Fier de nos quartiers are part of the Artisans Réversibles consortium and OSMOSE program collective. They provide individual development support for learners throughout their training journey, contributing to La Matière's youth education programs.
• Brun d'Acier (La Rochelle)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Local metalworking company Brun d'Acier collaborated with La Matière on the Tribord Sailing Lab office fit-out project, fabricating steel doors for cabinets and steel/Valchromat tables. This demonstrates La Matière's role as coordinator of multi-trade sustainable construction projects.
• KPA La Rochelle & CMA Formation LagordcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023La Matière partners with KPA La Rochelle (cooperative youth service) and CFA Formation Lagord (apprentice training center) to deliver the OSMOSE innovative training program. This 6-month program trains 12 youth aged 16-25 in cooperative entrepreneurship while immersing them in ecological transition themes. La Matière provides the pedagogical engineering and ecological transition content.
• Communauté de Communes du Pays de Mortagne (85)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021La Matière was commissioned to provide circular economy and eco-design consulting to the CdC Pays de Mortagne. Engagements included organizing 3 working groups (leather/textile, plastic/packaging, material library creation) involving 40+ territorial actors including Louis Vuitton, Longchamp, Groupe ERAM, MCPP France, Groupe Brangeon, Plaxtil, Le Recycleur Fou, Apysa, and ADEME. This was a significant consultancy engagement demonstrating La Matière's capacity to orchestrate industrial symbiosis networks.
• SOÖRUZminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021SOÖRUZ, a French surfwear brand, partnered with La Matière to create eco-designed cushions from old promotional sails and shredded wetsuit neoprene padding. SOÖRUZ is partially hosted in La Matière's premises. Sewing was subcontracted to ESAT L'Œuvre d'Emmanuelle, adding a social inclusion dimension.
• Les Francofolies de La RochelleminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021La Matière partnered with Les Francofolies de La Rochelle on the Francocéan village for a waste reduction and DIY awareness event. La Matière sourced event installation waste materials to build birdhouses with festival-goers. This long-term partnership provides a recurring source of reclaimed materials and community engagement opportunities.
• ESAT L'Œuvre d'EmmanuelleminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021ESAT L'Œuvre d'Emmanuelle, a social and professional inclusion organization, was engaged to perform the sewing of SOÖRUZ eco-designed cushions. This partnership adds a social inclusion dimension to La Matière's circular economy projects by integrating workers with disabilities into the production chain.
• Communauté d'Agglomération de La RochellecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020La Matière's relocation in late 2020 to a 1,500+ m² former brownfield site was made possible through a partnership with the Communauté d'Agglomération de La Rochelle. This partnership enabled the establishment of the Fablab, expanded Magasin des Matières, and La Cafetière café. The Agglomeration Community is a key institutional supporter enabling La Matière's physical infrastructure.
• Nicolas LEGENDRE / LR3D ConceptcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2020La Matière partnered with LR3D Concept, a La Rochelle-based 3D modeling and printing company led by Nicolas LEGENDRE, a specialist in plastic recycling. This collaboration enabled the launch of a local plastic recycling project. Nicolas LEGENDRE brought expertise from Better Future Factory (Rotterdam) and Precious Plastic community, developing circular products from plastic waste streams. Machines for the Fablab were also sourced from Le Recycleur Fou (Vendée), part of Precious Plastic France.
• Régie de Quartier Diagonales (La Rochelle)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Régie de Quartier Diagonales, which owns and manages the Jardin Picota in the Villeneuve-les-Salines neighborhood of La Rochelle, commissioned La Matière to fabricate outdoor furniture (picnic table, curved bench, garden cabin, signage) from reclaimed exotic wood.
• RESSAC (Réseau national du réemploi artistique et culturel)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019La Matière is one of 7 founding members of RESSAC, the national network for artistic and cultural material reuse. This network enables inter-regional exchange of reclaimed materials and expertise, serving as a supply chain for La Matière's fabrication operations. The network includes ArtStocK and meets biennially. La Matière co-founded the network and actively participates in material exchange and knowledge sharing.
• UWL-Surfboards (Angoulins)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership with UWL-Surfboards, Europe's largest surfboard manufacturer, to transform surplus catalyzed epoxy resin (waste product from surfboard production) into decorative objects (furniture buttons, decorative skulls, trophies). Each object is unique due to varying colored resin combinations. The partnership exemplifies industrial symbiosis and waste-as-resource circular economy.
• Leroy Merlin (Niort)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019La Matière collaborated with Leroy Merlin Niort and Lycée Professionnel du Pays d'Aunis to organize a collaborative citizen workshop constructing two giant reclaimed wood dragon sculptures representing Niort's landmark. The finished sculptures were installed in the lobby of Leroy Merlin Niort, creating a permanent showcase of circular economy craftsmanship at the retail location.
• ArtStocK (Blajan)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019ArtStocK, based in Blajan (31), is a leading French organization in the recovery, transformation, and revaluation of theatrical, cinematic, and event decorations. La Matière visited ArtStocK as part of RESSAC network activities. ArtStocK supplies reclaimed materials to La Matière through the RESSAC network.
• Tekabois & L'O-Ré du Bois & CycladminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2019Materials suppliers for the Baleine de Paris project: exotic wood from Tekabois, plywood from L'O-Ré du Bois, and reclaimed furniture legs from Cyclad waste management facility. These partners provide the reclaimed material inputs that enable La Matière's circular fabrication projects.
• CCAS d'AytréminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership with the CCAS (Centre Communal d'Action Sociale) d'Aytré began in 2017 to set up participatory DIY workshops in Pierre Loti neighborhood. The collaboration was extended to renovate a municipal space into a solidarity bar/grocery store. Managed by Les Amis du Phare association, the space serves as a community hub addressing social inclusion, digital divide, and food security.
• Coopérative des Tiers-Lieux de Nouvelle-AquitainecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014La Matière partnered with the Coopérative des Tiers-Lieux de Nouvelle-Aquitaine to co-develop and deliver professional training programs in circular economy. This partnership leverages the Cooperative's network and pedagogical infrastructure to deliver the 3-day professional circular economy training course at La Matière's La Rochelle premises. The collaboration is central to La Matière's training arm and is referenced as a key strategic alliance.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@lamatiere-larochelle
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/la-matiere
• Instagraminstagram.com/la_matiere

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 La Matière