An international strategy in service of transitions
Heading towards Northern Europe with “TRAINsitions”
In search of inspiration on environmental and societal transitions, Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement set its sights on Northern Europe in 2025. From May 19 to 22, 2025, the “TRAINsitions” mission brought together about sixty economic actors (entrepreneurs, academics, and institutional representatives) to Brussels, Liège and Rotterdam. This trip, made solely by train and bus, aimed to compare local ambitions with the most advanced European practices on reuse and sustainability.
In Brussels, the delegation worked on maritime transport decarbonization at the European Parliament. In Liège, it studied the “Wallonia Circular 2050” strategy. Finally, Rotterdam impressed with its circular economy-based port and its “De Her” center — a place where citizens can imagine valorization solutions with start-ups in an incubator built 99% from reused materials.
Concrete outcomes for the territory
The impact of these missions was immediate. The collective created remains united through joint projects and applications to European calls for projects. “In Belgium and the Netherlands, we discovered beer made from bread. The idea had been in my head for a long time,” recounts Katia Tardy from the bakery Kignon. Back in Nantes, meeting with the insertion brewery Tête haute to produce beer from bread crumbs became an obvious next step. These initiatives strengthen the ambition of the “Nantes, Land of Reuse” label, whose visibility was promoted at the National Reuse Meetings last November.
Maritime decarbonization: the Nantes-Hamburg axis
Unusually, 2025 also focused on the maritime sector. In September, a delegation travelled to Hamburg as part of a partnership signed in 2024. This visit enabled exploration of hydrogen solutions and sailing propulsion at Europe’s third-largest port. The objective was twofold: showcase Nantes-Saint-Nazaire know-how and prepare collaborations for the Hamburg Maritime Trade Fair (SMM) in September 2026.
Territory that inspires and unites
The agency didn’t just explore internationally — it also hosted international delegations. In September, a delegation from Quebec signed in Nantes a charter for ethical and inclusive digital practices. Shortly after, the Japanese Ambassador visited local leaders in maritime decarbonization such as Airseas and Wisamo. Cooperation also materialized through numerous meetings that connected the Audacieux communities in Montreal and Hamburg — with nearly 60 members in Quebec and about 15 in Hamburg helping to elevate Nantes Saint-Nazaire’s profile internationally.
Supporting international business establishment
The Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement team also helped international companies establish themselves in the territory. This includes Tree Consulting from Montreal, which received tailored support for its setup in Nantes, and agileDSS, also from Quebec, which will open offices on Île de Nantes in spring 2026. In Saint-Nazaire, the Lithuanian company AVS Pipefit, involved in building the Orient-Express Corinthian — the world’s largest sailing cruise vessel — received support for its installation alongside the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyards.
Are you an international company with plans to set up in Nantes Saint-Nazaire?
Nadia CHIBOUTI
International Partnerships & Strategy Manager
+33 (0)6 75 03 59 67
