Inodus: the industrial hub for innovation in Nantes

“Let’s shape our industrial future” is the tagline that encapsulates the ambition of this industrial cluster, formerly known as the Jules Verne Industrial Cluster. Here, industry leaders, researchers, and students work hand in hand to envision and build an industry capable of addressing the major challenges of environmental, technological, and societal transitions. This project is part of a long-standing collaborative effort with the Nantes metropolitan area to position the Nantes region as a leading player in sustainable industry in France and Europe.

A cutting-edge industrial ecosystem

Inodus brings together a diverse range of stakeholders who contribute to the site’s richness and strength. Major international corporations, innovative small and medium-sized enterprises, and startups coexist and collaborate on a daily basis in sectors that are emblematic of the region:

• aeronautics
• shipbuilding
• renewable energy
• composite materials

Among the companies in attendance are Airbus, Daher, CEA Tech, Dassault Systèmes, and Naval Group.

This ecosystem also relies on two major infrastructure facilities dedicated to innovation: the Technocampus Composites and Technocampus Océan. As true technology hubs, they bring together 650 experts across 36,000 m², which fosters the pooling of expertise and the development of high-value-added collaborative projects.

A Collaborative Toolkit for Innovation in Industry

One of Inodus’s strengths lies in its ability to bring together complementary organizations to promote industrial innovation.

IRT Jules Verne, a research center dedicated to the industry of the future, plays a key role in accelerating R&D projects. Working alongside it, CEA Tech contributes its technological expertise to support companies in their development efforts.

The EMC2 Competitiveness Cluster, for its part, brings together a network of more than 650 companies, facilitating synergies and collaborations at the regional and national levels.

Finally, the Odyssée Jules Verne (OJV) association drives the site’s momentum by bringing together all stakeholders around a common goal: to promote, develop, and advance research, innovation, and training in the industry of the future.

L’Étoile du Sud: A Place for Living and Socializing

To support the site’s growth, Inodus is launching an ambitious service hub project: Étoile du Sud.

Designed as a place for living and socializing, this future space will serve as the focal point at the heart of the site. It will offer:

• two restaurants
• 300 m² of workshop space
• 3,000 m² of office space
• two large rooms that can be reserved for private use, each approximately 80 m²

This project is part of a larger initiative: Les Halles Jules Verne, which is built around three complementary pillars:

• the IRT Jules Verne (Nautilus) building, dedicated to research and innovation
• a pedestrian-friendly route that fosters interaction and synergy
• L’Étoile du Sud, dedicated to services and business development. This service hub will offer dining options, recreational activities, a business center, 3,000 m² of office space, and workshops dedicated to prototyping and innovation (scheduled for completion in 2027). This facility aims to become a hub for collaboration and synergy among Inodus’s industrial partners.

A Region Committed to Sustainable and Environmentally Responsible Industry

Today, Inodus is home to nearly 15,000 employees, with a long-term projection of 30,000 people. This growth underscores the site’s importance and its strategic role in the economic development of the Nantes region.

More than just a business park, Inodus is a true open-air laboratory where the industry of the future is taking shape: collaborative, innovative, sustainable, and environmentally responsible.