CIRTES
French contractual research center (SRC) commercializing proprietary Stratoconception sheet-lamination additive manufacturing process for large-format multi-material parts from plastic, resin, wood, and metal sheets.
- CEO / Founder
- Bruno Gailly
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- €12.5M
- Latest Round
- Grant
- Key Investors
- Région Grand Est, France 2030, Bpifrance, European Union Horizon Europe program, Crédit Mutuel Equity, Alsace Capitale, France Relance
Technology & Products
Key Products
Stratoconception® (large/complex part AM via sheet lamination); Pack&Strat® (custom 3D packaging via AM); Actarus® (machining process monitoring)
Technological Advantage
CLAIMED: Stratoconception® is described as superior for large/complex parts and multi-material combinations versus standard powder-bed or extrusion AM. VERIFIED: Multiple patents assigned to CIRTES SA/Cirtes SRC (inventors include Claude Barlier, Cyril Pelaingre, Denis Cunin, Christophe Levaillant; at least one patent granted 2011). Advantage is DEFENSIBLE via patents and trade secrets accumulated since 1991. Regulatory moat: SRC/CRT accreditation and CIR approval create switching costs for industrial R&D partners.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Enables fabrication of large-format and geometrically complex parts in multi-material sheet stock via the proprietary Stratoconception® process, reducing prototyping lead times for industrial clients; accredited SRC/CRT status qualifies partner companies for French Research Tax Credit (CIR), lowering effective R&D cost
How They Differentiate
Stratoconception® targets large-format and multi-material complexity not addressed by standard FDM/SLS systems; operates as an accredited R&D partner (SRC/CRT) rather than a pure equipment vendor, enabling co-development and CIR tax credit eligibility for French industrial clients. Specific head-to-head performance comparisons vs. named competitors not available in sources.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Industrial firms requiring rapid product development, complex prototyping, and custom packaging; R&D partnerships with manufacturing companies in France and the EU
Industry Verticals
General manufacturing; Rapid prototyping; Packaging; Industrial R&D
Competitors
Mcor Technologies (sheet lamination AM, now Volumetric); Solido (sheet lamination plastic AM)
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Total funding raised €12.5 million as of latest available data through 2025, with grants including €4.2M from France 2030 in July 2023, €3.8M from Région Grand Est and European Union in March 2022, and a €2.1M seed round in 2021.
Major Milestones
1991: Founded by Claude Barlier in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, France; 2011: Key Stratoconception® patent granted; Ongoing: Accredited as Structure of Contractual Research (SRC), Technological Resource Center (CRT), and approved for French Research Tax Credit (CIR); Co-founder of VirtuReaL cluster (with InSIC, Actarus, INORI); 2023+: C-FAST project funded by PIA (Programme d'Investissements d'Avenir / Future Investments) in partnership with TopSolid; 2025: Listed as Formnext 2025 exhibitor; Media coverage in Les Echos for Pack&Strat® technology