ESB, the first higher education institution in wood science and technology, was founded in 1934 under the impetus of the French Ministries of Agriculture, National Education and Industry. Committed to innovation with wood and bio-based materials, the school extends this vision to each of its areas of expertise: training, research and R&D engineering for companies.

Vocation: explore the science and technology of wood and bio-based materials

Faced with environmental challenges, wood and bio-based materials are the resources of the future to invent a sustainable future. Natural and renewable, these materials of plant origin are the allies of the circular economy.

The expertise developed by the ESB for over 85 years allows it to train a hundred young graduates each year. They are able to develop knowledge about the properties, technologies and uses of wood and bio-based materials.

For what challenge? To imagine, design and develop innovative solutions that meet the needs of our society in a sustainable way.

Missions: training, research and engineering

ESB is a French private higher education and research institution of general interest (EESPIG) under contract with the Ministry of Agriculture. It is part of several networks, including the Conférence des grandes écoles (CGE).

The school has the status of a non-profit association managed by a Board of Directors. Every euro collected goes entirely to finance its training and research missions.

Created in 1934 to meet the recruitment needs of industrialists, the School has three main missions:

• The training of tomorrow’s professionals capable of being integrated into companies. Trained professionals contribute to the development of companies. They act as actors of sustainable development,
• Research to develop knowledge on the properties, technologies and uses of wood and other biosourced materials of plant origin.
• Finally, R&D engineering allows them to share their knowledge with the industrial world. The teams of the HD Wood engineering center support companies in the development of innovative solutions.

A French “Grande école”

ESB is one of 230 schools that belong to the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles (CGE).

The means to carry out its missions

Since its establishment in Nantes in 1993, the ESB has adapted its means to its ambitions.

The School’s missions are carried out by a team of 50 permanent employees and nearly 170 external contributors.

Built in 1992 and extended in 2012, the 7,200m2 building is an exemplary achievement. Wood is dominant and blends perfectly with the other materials.

It welcomes more than 400 students who, during their schooling, have access to :

• Training spaces. Graded rooms with 120 seats, amphitheater with 220 seats, computer rooms, language laboratory, CDI, work rooms.
• Spaces for student associations. Offices, storage areas, cafeteria.
• A 1,300m2 workshop dedicated to the transformation of materials and equipped with industrial machinery.
• A 1,100m2 technology hall to carry out full-scale construction projects.
• A model-making area equipped with small equipment to create models and small prototypes.
• Scientific laboratories for microscopy, wood anatomy, chemistry, mechanics and finishing.

The AIESB alumni association federates the alumni network.