5 companies innovating in marine renewable energy (MRE) in Nantes Saint-Nazaire

Farwind develops innovative wind propulsion solutions

A spin-off from Centrale Nantes, Farwind develops innovative wind propulsion solutions aimed at accelerating the decarbonization of maritime transport. The company designs and manufactures Flettner rotor sails: vertical cylinders rotating around their axis that convert wind energy into propulsive force through the Magnus effect. These systems significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions from merchant ships.

Wind propulsion is the backbone of Farwind, with a strong industrial ambition in the design, manufacturing, and deployment of very high-power rotors to equip both existing and new vessels. This technology meets the immediate need of the maritime sector to reduce its carbon footprint through mature solutions compatible with commercial operations.

In this context, Farwind Energy is developing the concept of energy ships, based on the same wind propulsion logic. These vessels will be equipped with underwater turbines capable of converting the kinetic energy of movement into electricity. The energy produced is then stored onboard in batteries or converted into energy molecules such as hydrogen (via water electrolysis), and then into methanol or ammonia by combining it with carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

Farwind currently employs around twenty people in Nantes and is part of an industrial dynamic aiming to make wind a major lever for energy transition in maritime transport and decarbonized energy production at sea.

Greenov reduces the environmental impact of maritime activities

Founded in 2021 by Damien Demoor, Greenov is a “mission-driven company” incubated at Centrale Nantes, developing innovative solutions to reduce the environmental impact of maritime activities. Its core innovation focuses on tackling underwater noise pollution, a growing issue linked to the expansion of port works and offshore wind farms, which impact marine life. In 2025, Greenov created a subsidiary called Sealence, dedicated to its underwater noise reduction activities.

Its innovation? Greenov offers an alternative to traditional bubble curtains, currently used but costly, energy-intensive, and sometimes ineffective offshore (due to currents and swell dispersing bubbles). Sealence developed SubSea Quieter, a patented system based on membrane panels filled with a thin layer of air, forming a physical barrier against sound waves. This modular system (in curtain form or as a “sock” around piles) is five times cheaper and uses 99% less air than bubble curtains, while significantly improving noise attenuation.

Already awarded and supported by the European EIC Accelerator program with €2.5 million, Sealence tested a first prototype in Saint-Nazaire in 2024. The next step is deployment in real offshore foundation works. Supported by industry players, this innovation could become a standard for reconciling maritime infrastructure development with ecosystem preservation.

Alka Marine operates custom vessels for supplying offshore wind farms

Founded in 2020, Alka Marine is a French shipowner specializing in marine energy support. Based in Saint-Nazaire (Montoir-de-Bretagne) since the commissioning of France’s first offshore wind farm, the company also operates in Versailles. It manages a fleet of five French-flagged vessels to meet offshore wind farm needs: the Alma Kappa (anchor handling tug), Alka Bullshark and Alka Bullseye (two 12-passenger crew transfer vessels), Alka Largo (passenger transport vessel with capacity for 21 people), and Coastal Aurora (a 27-meter multicat). Alka Marine currently operates a vessel for France’s second offshore wind farm off the island of Yeu.

Alka Marine employs around thirty people and also offers integrated solutions for complex challenges, while developing international maritime services, particularly in West Africa.

AVS PipeFit collaborates with Chantiers de l’Atlantique for a decarbonized maritime industry

Established in Saint-Nazaire for nearly three years, AVS PipeFit is a Lithuanian shipbuilding and repair company offering turnkey solutions. It specializes in the manufacturing and installation of piping systems and steel structures for the naval sector, with strong expertise in defense, cruise ships, and LNG projects.

In Saint-Nazaire, AVS PipeFit mobilizes up to 100 specialists on site, including pipefitters, welders, engineers, and other highly skilled professionals across multiple disciplines. The company applies high sustainability standards: its prefabrication workshops are increasingly powered by renewable energy, while continuous investment in advanced low-emission technologies helps reduce its carbon footprint, reflecting a strong commitment to minimizing environmental impact.

At the forefront of maritime transition, AVS PipeFit contributes to several major sustainability programs. With nearly 600 employees in Europe and €49 million in revenue in 2025 (+33% year-on-year), the company plays an active role in large-scale shipbuilding projects at Chantiers de l’Atlantique. It is involved in the construction of MSC World Asia, one of the most advanced LNG-powered cruise ships, as well as the Orient Express Corinthian, set to become the largest sailing vessel ever built and a benchmark in large-scale wind propulsion. It also contributes to the superyacht Luminara, illustrating evolving energy standards in the maritime sector.

D-Ice Engineering

The deep tech company D-Ice Engineering, founded in Nantes in 2015 by Sofien Kerkeni, a former Sirehna employee, specifically targets vessels carrying out complex offshore operations or aiming to significantly reduce fuel consumption—particularly in offshore wind and wind propulsion. D-Ice develops tools to help ships optimize their routes at sea through advanced routing systems. With 46 employees today, the company works with forward-thinking shipowners entering the wind-powered maritime freight sector. The startup is targeting a fundraising round of €15 to €20 million by 2027 and aims to reach profitability soon.

Dall Energy sets up in Nantes to accelerate the deployment of innovative biomass in France

Dall Energy continues its expansion across France with the opening of a site in Nantes. The Danish company, specializing in high-capacity biomass solutions (4–21 MW), intends to structure its development in France from the western region.

Having arrived in July 2025, Mesut Yentur is leading this new strategic phase. “It’s a strong nationwide rollout. We have a solid order book,” emphasizes the France manager.

Nantes, a new French hub for Dall Energy

With around ten employees in France and about sixty in total, the company has moved in just a few years from startup status to that of an industrial scale-up. Nantes is thus becoming the central hub for commissioning and maintenance activities, close to ongoing projects in western France.

Biomass: from garden waste to district heating

Dall Energy focuses on biomass plants ranging from 4 to 21 MW, intended for metropolitan areas and industries. Its technology is based on a gasification process that allows the use of a wide variety of fuels, such as green waste.

Dall Energy’s patented gasification technology offers a low-emission and high-efficiency alternative to traditional biomass combustion. This solution is particularly suited to district heating networks, industrial applications, and urban energy infrastructure, helping clients achieve their sustainability goals while reducing operating costs.

“We can build exemplary plants that meet all ADEME eligibility criteria by using local hedgerow or landscaping wood chips,” explains Mesut Yentur, director of the Nantes entity. A major advantage in a context of tension in the energy wood market, with costs that can be reduced by up to 30%. Another benefit is lower emissions without the need for additional filters. “Naturally, our solutions release far fewer by-products in the flue gases thanks to condensers, while remaining below European and French standards,” he adds.

A booming market in France

Dall Energy installed its first wood-fired boiler in Rouen in 2020, enabling the city to shift the energy mix of its network from 100% fossil gas to more than 80% renewable energy. Since then, the company has multiplied its projects: Amiens, Caen, Salon-de-Provence, Tours, and Le Mans. It is now aiming for rapid scaling across the country.

“Dall Energy is experiencing strong growth both in terms of projects and the resources behind them,” says the manager. This momentum is notably driven by the growing needs of district heating networks and public funding, particularly from ADEME.

The main clients are major energy operators such as Dalkia, Engie, Coriance, or Idex, which operate long-term heating concessions.

Recruitment and team structuring

The Nantes site, located in the Now coworking offices on Île de Nantes, is accompanied by a recruitment plan. Dall Energy plans to build a team dedicated to service and maintenance of its plants.

“My current need is to strengthen the teams to develop this activity,” explains Mesut Yentur, who has more than 25 years of experience in leadership roles in the energy sector, including at Everllence in Saint-Nazaire. In the short term, at least three positions are expected to be created, primarily for specialized engineers, whose mission will be to monitor installations, optimize their performance, and structure the service offering.

The support provided by Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement is highly appreciated, particularly in connecting with key decarbonization stakeholders in western France.

A strategic foothold in western France

Although Nantes is not yet hosting a project at this stage, its geographical position is a major asset. Ongoing or planned plants are concentrated within a nearby radius, notably in Tours, Le Mans, and Caen. This choice of location reflects Dall Energy’s intention to establish a lasting presence in the French energy landscape, from Nantes.

• Learn more about Dall Energy

6 Nantes-based companies innovating for the healthcare of tomorrow

Redeem Medical structures a new circular sector

Located on the ground floor of the Gina building on the Île de Nantes, Redeem Medical chose to set up at the heart of a health innovation ecosystem to structure a new sector dedicated to the reuse of medical devices. Braces, orthotics, and other medical equipment are often used for only a few weeks without being reused, even though they still have clear functional potential. Redeem Medical provides an operational response by turning this waste into a resource.

The company has built a fully-fledged reuse chain for small medical devices, with a rigorous and certified process: collection, quality control, cleaning, disinfection, traceability, and repackaging. The result: devices put back into circulation at lower cost, a significant reduction in healthcare waste, and a lighter environmental impact—without compromising safety.

At the crossroads of the circular economy and healthcare standards, the company, led by Clémence Cornet, is fully aligned with recent regulations governing the refurbishment of medical devices. In a context of healthcare budget pressure and ecological urgency, Redeem Medical goes beyond innovation by offering a concrete, responsible, and economically relevant solution to a national challenge.

Kicmed develops its cryotherapy solution for healthcare

Kicmed is developing an innovative cryotherapy solution in Nantes aimed at improving patient care, particularly in oncology. Its technology helps reduce certain side effects of intensive treatments through controlled cold. By combining medical expertise and technological innovation, the company contributes to making treatments more tolerable for patients. The company was founded by Hugo Baril.

Lowpital aims to transform the healthcare experience

Lowpital is a healthcare innovation agency that supports healthcare institutions in human-centered innovation processes. Through design thinking and collective intelligence methods, the company helps caregivers, patients, and decision-makers co-create solutions tailored to real-world use. Its approach aims to improve care organization and the patient experience.

Octopize anonymizes data ethically

A specialist in advanced anonymization, Octopize enables healthcare professionals to use sensitive data without compromising confidentiality. Its technology makes data truly anonymous while preserving its statistical value. This is a key lever to accelerate medical research, innovation, and collaboration, while ensuring compliance with GDPR.

OptimPharma optimizes the management of unadministered doses in hospitals

OptimPharma develops a digital solution dedicated to managing unadministered doses (UAD) within healthcare facilities. Using artificial intelligence and computer vision, the platform ensures full traceability, reduces medication waste, and optimizes costs, while improving the security of the medication circuit. OptimPharma was founded by Soumeya Ben Aïssa, a healthcare professional with 20 years of experience in hospital pharmacy.

Epoca for next-generation remote monitoring

Founded in Nanterre and established in Rezé, near Nantes, Epoca deploys medical remote monitoring platforms for chronic patients and elderly individuals with multiple conditions. Through connected devices and coordinated medical follow-up, the company enables structured home monitoring in connection with healthcare professionals. The goal: prevent complications, avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, and streamline care pathways. The startup was supported by Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement for its establishment near Nantes in 2022.

Learn more about global health

Tree Consulting brings its expertise in ethical technological innovation to Nantes

After a 25-year career in IT services companies in France and Canada, Amaury de Foresta wanted to put ethics back at the center of technology. Concern for data confidentiality and the growing threat of climate change were key drivers in creating the consulting firm Tree — an acronym for Responsible, Ethical, and Ecological Technology.

Innovating with AI

Tree Consulting helps all types of businesses, especially micro-businesses and SMEs, to innovate using artificial intelligence. “First, it’s about raising awareness of how AI works and its impacts, notably through our AI Fresco workshops. Then we look at what AI can practically bring to them.” Use cases range from automatic form generation to creating voice assistants or virtual reality tools. “The goal is usually to improve product functionality and optimize productivity. Then I write a roadmap for technical implementation.” The firm also supports large groups on AI governance with the help of two experts — one of whom, Marc-Antoine Dilhac, contributed to the European AI regulation. Tree Consulting also positions itself in business innovation “to promote a robust and sustainable economic model” and to support impact-driven projects.

Innovation, digital, CSR: building bridges between Montréal and Nantes

Amaury de Foresta brings a Canadian vision of innovation to Nantes. “Unlike in Europe, where a lot of time is spent thinking and designing before launching, the Canadian approach is more about learning by doing: you make small steps and experiment. To me, innovation rhymes with agility.” Setting up an office in Nantes was both a personal project and a desire to join the local ecosystem. “There are real bridges between Montréal and Nantes, especially in technological and digital innovation. Nantes offers great momentum both in digital and CSR, and real business potential.” Although the new Nantes office will operate nationally, Tree Consulting intends to anchor itself locally. “I aspire to join networks and surround myself with local partners.” Shortly after opening in Nantes, Tree Consulting took part in a panel discussion at the Data & AI Fair during Nantes Digital Week 2025.

“A decisive support” from Nantes-Saint-Nazaire Développement

“As a member of the Audacieux community in Montréal, I already knew Nantes-Saint-Nazaire Développement. Their help with my move to Nantes was invaluable: a year ago, I did a scouting visit to validate my business model and start developing partnerships. Elsa Venisse helped me meet many ecosystem players — that support was decisive!”

• Learn more about Tree consulting
  

Sea4Earth aims to bring French seaweed to our plates

When Nicolas Durand gave a tour of the Atlantic coast to South Korean officials, they were stunned by the sight of seaweed covering the rocks. “The fact that we leave this resource unexploited is beyond their understanding,” says the co-founder and president of Sea4Earth. While Asia, especially Korea, is a major exporter of nori (the seaweed used in sushi), the cultivation of edible seaweed in Europe accounts for just 0.1% of global production. “Seaweed producers struggle to find markets due to a lack of suitable industrial infrastructure,” explains Durand, an agricultural engineer by training. “And production volumes are too low to attract major food companies.” Sea4Earth intends to change this by simultaneously developing large-scale seaweed production and its industrial processing.

Equipping our coasts with seaweed farms

The cornerstone of the project is a “4.0” land-based macroalgae farm concept. “These are connected farms designed to combine optimal yield with low energy consumption.” Depending on the setup, the farms could include an on-site processing area. A prototype is currently being tested with CEA Tech in Cadarache, with plans to deploy it along both the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.

Potential in shellfish farming areas

Shellfish farming zones offer a unique opportunity, especially regarding the utilization of seaweed growing on oyster farms. “Today, seaweed that covers oyster bags is considered more of a nuisance than a resource. We propose seeding oyster bags with edible seaweed, which would not only create a new harvestable product but also provide shellfish farmers with an additional source of income through a new activity.” Initial successful tests have already been conducted in Charente-Maritime, with support from CAPENA (Aquaculture, Fisheries and Environment Center of Nouvelle-Aquitaine), the regional shellfish committee CRC17, Fermes du Soleil, and a few pioneering oyster farmers.

Industrial resources supporting sustainable food

Sea4Earth’s farm model could produce 900 tonnes of seaweed per hectare, or 90 tonnes of dried product, “a yield far higher than cereal farming, with significantly lower water consumption,” emphasizes Nicolas Durand. “Seaweed is a superfood—extremely nutritious with minimal environmental impact. At a time when shifting to more plant-based diets is urgent, it offers a truly sustainable alternative.”

Sea4Earth’s project focuses on producing both sushi sheets and incorporating seaweed into common food products. The company is currently developing an industrial pilot plant with the CTCPA (Technical Center for the Preservation of Agricultural Products) in Avignon to manufacture sushi sheets made in France. Once validated, the industrial process will be rolled out in the first factories in southern France and along the Atlantic coast.

The company is also running R&D projects on new products, particularly in the Pays de la Loire region. A partnership is about to be finalized with a food industry player in the Nantes area.

A supportive ecosystem for macroalgae in Nantes and the Pays de la Loire

Although the company is headquartered in Marseille, its operational activities will be based in Aix-en-Provence—Sea4Earth Méditerranée—and in Nantes—Sea4Earth Atlantique—where it has already established connections within the ecosystem. “Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement has helped us quickly connect with the local agrifood and innovation stakeholders.”

Founded in July 2023, Sea4Earth plans a fundraising round in 2026 to launch its first integrated farm and processing site. In parallel, it is contributing to the national roadmap for the seaweed industry. “We believe it’s essential to reduce dependence on Asia for a product that will play a key role in our future food sovereignty.”

Learn more about Sea4earth

Doris Group opens a new branch in Nantes dedicated to Marine Renewable Energy

With over 1,000 employees worldwide, Doris Group is a leading player in engineering, project development, and energy-related services. Originally focused on conventional energy, the company—founded in 1965—has built significant expertise in renewable energy, particularly offshore wind power.

“We supported the development of fixed-bottom offshore wind in the UK, a pioneering country in this field, and contributed to many floating wind projects in various countries,” says Olivier Langeard, head of the new Nantes branch.

Innovative solutions in emerging energies

Doris Group operates across the entire project lifecycle—from design to operations—offering engineering, project management, technical support, and more. The company works on innovative concepts in renewable and emerging energies, such as:

• Deep-sea water-based air conditioning for Kingston Airport in Jamaica,
• An offshore hydrogen production unit at the base of a wind turbine in the UK,
• And the Nerehyd floating platform, developed in partnership with Lhyfe to produce green hydrogen offshore near Saint-Nazaire.

“We combined our expertise in hydrogen production with our offshore development experience,” explains Olivier Langeard.

Nantes, a strategic hub for Marine Renewable Energy

Former R&D Manager at Doris France in Paris, Olivier Langeard moved to Nantes a few months ago as part of the Lhyfe partnership.

“The idea of setting up a team here focused on marine renewable energy became obvious due to the region’s strong potential. In the short term, we aim to build a team of four to five people, depending on market opportunities, to work on marine operations, naval architecture, mooring systems, seabed studies… and perhaps even wind propulsion.”

Olivier Langeard praises the key role played by Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement in “opening doors and helping us integrate into the local ecosystem.”
From Nantes, Doris Group is already working on several major programs such as:

• HOPE, a prototype for offshore hydrogen production with Lhyfe,
• And the future FloWatt tidal farm in Normandy.

Learn more about Doris Group

Elyse Energy: A new stakeholder in the decarbonized maritime industry in Saint-Nazaire

Decarbonizing the sectors most reliant on fossil fuels through the production of low-carbon molecules—that is the ambition of Elyse Energy. Based in Lyon, the company is a pioneer in its field. Since its creation in 2020, it has been developing production units for low-carbon molecules, primarily fuels, destined for maritime and air transport, as well as the chemical industry, where they are used as base components.

An e-methanol production unit, in partnership with Lhyfe

Established in France, Spain, and Portugal, Elyse Energy is expanding to Saint-Nazaire as part of the development of a green hydrogen production site in the Montoir-de-Bretagne port area. The project was awarded to hydrogen leader Lhyfe following a call for tenders by the Grand Port Maritime Nantes Saint-Nazaire. Lhyfe and Elyse Energy have partnered to produce 150,000 tonnes of e-methanol per year from green hydrogen.

Multiple industrial decarbonization projects underway

This young SME is already leading major projects, notably in the Rhône Valley, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and Spain.

“These projects are part of a national decarbonization strategy, which includes the development of technical and technological solutions,” explains Mathieu Hoyer, Director of Development. “They provide France with the means to decarbonize the most challenging sectors—those where alternatives are still limited—and contribute to energy sovereignty by producing molecules locally.”

Joining the decarbonization ecosystem in Saint-Nazaire

Elyse Energy is positioning itself within Saint-Nazaire’s strong momentum toward maritime economic decarbonization.

“We’ll also be able to rely on CO₂—another component of methanol—valorized through projects like GO CO₂, which plans to capture and transport the gas from major industrial emitters along the Atlantic coast, particularly cement plants, to the Saint-Nazaire area.”

Olivier Cuny, Elyse Energy’s representative in Saint-Nazaire

As Business Manager for the Northwest region, Olivier Cuny settled this summer at the Maison de l’Entreprise in Saint-Nazaire, supported by Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement.

“I am proud to take part in an ambitious maritime transport decarbonization project, rooted in its territory, with one of the first ports in Europe to commit to providing alternative fuels.”

Learn more about Elyse

agileDSS: “In Nantes, you can feel a strong energy in the digital ecosystem”

Founded two decades ago in the heart of Montreal, AgileDSS has become a leading company in Quebec in the field of data consulting (business intelligence, big data, and artificial intelligence). Its experts store, structure, and analyze corporate data and transform it into management reports, dashboards, or algorithms using flexible and agile delivery approaches. AgileDSS is involved at all stages of a data project, from strategic consulting to the integration of innovative solutions and automation.

Active in sustainable economy sectors

“We apply our expertise in many innovative and sustainable sectors, such as insurance, healthcare, telecommunications, transport, and especially in green energy, wind power, electric charging stations, etc.,” explains Alexandre Langlois, partner and co-owner of agileDSS. “We are also involved in maritime transport, where we help monitor data to predict maintenance, optimize shipping routes, and more. Today in France, there is a strong focus on cloud migration, an area where we are much more advanced in Quebec.” The Quebec company AgileDSS counts among its clients Canadian leaders in wind energy such as Boralex and Innergex.

Established ties between Nantes and Quebec

Exchanges between Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement and AgileDSS began in 2019, during a delegation trip from Nantes to Montreal, as part of the partnership between Printemps Numérique in Montreal and Nantes Digital Week. Following this first meeting, Julien Messu, agileDSS’s Markets & Talents Director (originally from Guérande), became an Audacieux de Nantes in Montreal. After expanding in Quebec City, the company decided to go on the offensive in the international market, and Nantes quickly became an obvious choice through the ties already established between the two cities during previous delegations.

A dynamic ecosystem and many joint events between Nantes and Quebec

At the end of 2023, Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement helped agileDSS’s leaders meet with several key organizations in Nantes such as ADN Ouest, La Cantine Numérique, higher education schools (Epitech, Polytech…), university laboratories, and AI startups. “The Nantes digital ecosystem is very structured and very mature, with a university and excellent research labs. There are many joint events between Nantes and Quebec, especially in the digital sector. Nantes has a dynamic ecosystem, you can feel a strong energy here in our field and in many other innovative and green sectors like renewable energy.”

“Here, company leaders make themselves available to meet us”

“In Nantes, we’ve been very well received. We appreciate this kindness, which feels very similar to what we’re used to in Quebec. Here, you find large companies where the leaders make themselves available to meet you, which wouldn’t happen in Paris or other large French cities. What interests us is creating a close connection to explain how data can help businesses. For us, this is extremely important!” says Ludovic Péronet, partner and co-owner of agileDSS.

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Wind power: e3 IdentiFlight France, an innovative bird protection solution, chooses Nantes to set up its French subsidiary

Detecting and identifying the presence of protected species to reduce bird mortality on wind farms is the goal of the system developed by Boulder Imaging, based on technology created by its subsidiary IdentiFlight. The principle: a set of 8 wide-angle cameras capable of identifying approaching species scans the wind turbine environment 360° and detects birds in the vicinity. A high-definition camera then takes over to “recognize” the species present. When a protected species approaches, the wind turbine is stopped.

15 species already classified

Developed using artificial intelligence technology, “the strength of this solution lies in the precise classification of birds,” explains Yoann Payelleville, director of e3 IdentiFlight France. The system can differentiate between species like the red kite and the black stork, both protected and commonly found in France, as well as the white-tailed eagle. “The presence of sensitive species is often an obstacle to the development of wind farms. Our system, which minimizes downtime, allows us both to ensure the protection of birds and to optimize wind farm performance.” In the Grand Est region, the implementation of a wind project was made conditional on the use of the IdentiFlight system. Over 250 systems are currently deployed across wind farms in the United States, Australia, Uzbekistan, Germany, and France. Around fifteen protected species have already been classified by the system, a number expected to double in the coming months.

Developing a team in Nantes

One of the first European companies to take an interest in this solution, German company e3, specialized in wind farm development, partnered with the American firm to distribute the product in Germany, Austria, and France. The creation of e3 IdentiFlight France will enable coverage of the French market. It is led by Yoann Payelleville, a seasoned expert in wind energy after fifteen years at German wind turbine manufacturer Enercon. Based in Vertou, near Nantes, the French subsidiary aims to gradually expand to around ten employees within three to four years. “Close to Paris by high-speed train and attractive for its quality of life, Nantes offers all the right assets to attract profiles with expertise in wind energy development and knowledge of ornithology.”

Learn more about e3 identiflight

The Canadian engineering firm Atelier 7 hz brings its expertise in acoustics and vibrations to Nantes

“Ensuring a comfortable sound and vibration environment in living spaces” is the mission of Atelier 7 hz. Based in Montreal and Quebec, the 15-person engineering firm provides acoustics and vibration consulting services for building construction and environmental noise monitoring. Atelier 7 hz primarily works during the design phase but also monitors construction phases and performs performance verification measurements. The firm is involved in large-scale projects such as the Vaudreuil-Soulanges hospital near Montreal (comparable in size to the Nantes University Hospital). 7 hz’s scope extends beyond buildings: “we measure noise and vibrations inside, but also nuisances generated by highway construction or train traffic,” explains Raphaël Duée, founder and president.

Connected monitoring stations

Through a research tax credit granted by Canadian authorities, Atelier 7 hz has developed “permanent monitoring stations” for tracking noise and vibrations. Powered by solar panels, these autonomous devices are installed near construction sites, highways, or airports to monitor their acoustic and vibrational environment. The collected data is transmitted in real-time to a server. “We’ve developed an additional feature based on artificial intelligence that can detect events like the passage of an airplane or train, providing detailed statistical analyses,” says Raphaël Duée.

From Montreal to Nantes

After twelve years in Quebec, Raphaël Duée decided to return to Europe with his family, with the goal of replicating the company’s success. “I have no roots in Nantes and my wife is Canadian. After studying several cities, Nantes appeared to offer the right environment for both family life and professional development, thanks to its energy, the presence of major projects, and proximity to the ocean. I also appreciated the more relaxed approach to work relationships here. Nantes Saint-Nazaire Développement gave us the keys to understand the local environment and facilitated our first steps,” he explains. Next step: business development, with the goal of building a new team to cover the western region of France.

Learn more about Atelier 7 hz