Mines Saint-Étienne has officially launched the construction work for TWIN (Showcase and Workshops for the Industry of the Future), a unique space dedicated to training, research, and innovation. Located on the site of a former industrial wasteland in Saint-Étienne, covering 1,901 m², the completely restructured building will be delivered in spring 2026.
The symbolic laying of the first stone for this emblematic site for the industry of tomorrow took place on Wednesday, November 27, at 2, rue Copernic, in the presence of Alexandre Rochatte, Prefect of the Loire department, Catherine Staron, Vice-President of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in charge of Higher Education and Research, and Christophe Faverjon, Vice-President for Higher Education of the Saint-Étienne metropolis.
Designed as a catalyst for industrial transitions, TWIN embodies Mines Saint-Étienne’s ambition to offer businesses concrete solutions to address the major challenges of competitiveness, decarbonization, and responsible digital technology for the coming decades.
A Technological Hub for Innovation
Equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, TWIN will become a true laboratory for the industry of the future.
Among its flagship infrastructures, it will include:
- A unique ceramic and multi-material additive manufacturing line in France, allowing for the direct transformation of powders into finished components.
- The FAB-WAAM and SLM spaces, dedicated to advanced processes such as selective laser melting and fused filament deposition for the manufacturing of large-scale metal parts.
- The platform IT’M Factory, launched in partnership with UIMM Loire, to help VSEs and SMEs integrate new technologies into their processes.
These facilities will make TWIN a well-known and recognized research and training center beyond the borders of the Loire region.
Mines Saint-Étienne, Driver of Societal Impact Innovations
According to Jacques Fayolle, Director of Mines Saint-Étienne, ” reindustrialization is a necessity for national economic sovereignty. With TWIN, we demonstrate once again that our School is a key player in supporting businesses in their transformation . “
TWIN is indeed part of the global strategy of Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT) and the dynamic industrial ecosystem of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It will be connected with the School’s other sites, such as DIWII in Charbonnières-les-Bains, and will play a decisive role in the strategic priorities: decarbonization, circular economy, and responsible digital technology.
A Place for Exchange and Collaboration
TWIN will be much more than just a building. It will be a place for meetings and sharing where engineering students, research-professors, and businesses will co-create tomorrow’s solutions. By hosting the activities of the TEAM incubator, dedicated to supporting startups, TWIN will also strengthen its role as an entry point for industrial innovation.
With this ambitious and emblematic project, Mines Saint-Étienne confirms its commitment to “reinventing industry” by training a new generation of responsible engineers ready to meet the major challenges of the future.
SPOTLIGHT ON…
Cécile Dubarry was present at this important event in the life of the School. The new Director General of Institut Mines Télécom (IMT), who took office last August, particularly highlighted the project’s contribution to public policies: ” Our commitment does not stop at research and innovation. We actively contribute to public policies, particularly in the areas of nuclear energy, digital and energy transition for businesses. TWIN is one of the levers to strengthen our expertise and our capacity to support businesses in their transformation. By collaborating closely with public decision-makers, we ensure that our technological advancements benefit society as a whole. ” The day before, she had taken the time to visit the historic site of Mines Saint-Étienne and its teaching and research centers. A day rich in learning and meetings, which was part of a tour of France of the eight leading engineering schools that make up the IMT galaxy.
