Who are we?

Unique and different

As a private entity, ITECH Lyon is a State-recognized non-profit teaching association, created and supported by the professional federations and their member companies. With a State-accredited French engineering degree (CTI), ITECH is a member of the Conférence des Grandes Écoles, associated to the University of Lyon.

ITECH Lyon trains engineers in the field of polymers and their applications, in particular in plastic materials, textiles, composites, chemistry (through paints, inks, adhesives and cosmetics) as well as in leather and its uses (shoe making, leather goods).

Our areas of expertise

We offer graduate and post-graduate training courses (from Bac+2 to Bac+6) in the following areas of expertise:

Formulation chemistry

Using formulation chemistry, it is possible to develop complex combinations of polymers for use in creating adhesives, inks, paints, cosmetics and any number of other formulated products. This science is applied at the heart of everyday life. Many opportunities for placements are open to formulation chemistry engineers: at the top of the chain working with chemical companies, in actual design and manufacturing units and further down the line, in end-user industries (transport, packaging).

Plastic materials

ITECH Lyon sets itself apart from the other chemistry schools: in addition to their knowledge of plastics, ITECH engineers learn both to apply this material in processing plants and to design parts. ITECH plastics engineers also develop their professional people skills: using formulation chemistry, they coat and color their materials, and, working with textile engineers, they create composites for use in recreational activities. From health to aeronautics, including packaging, automobiles and sport, a wide range of industries employ plastics engineers who work just as much with raw material suppliers as they do with “formulators” and plastics users.

Textile Materials

Our course perfectly meets the requirements of the textile industry. It draws on the linear structure of the industry to examine the full range of textile professions (textile chemistry, spinning mills and spinning, throwing and texturing, weaving, knitting, non-woven fabrics, dyeing, printing and finishing) and all its applications (clothing, furnishings, technical textiles).

The teaching department has developed its teaching methods in close collaboration with the companies based at the Roanne technological center.

Leather

ITECH Lyon is the only school in the world to offer a Masters course in leather engineering, covering tanning and tawing and their uses (footwear, leather goods). What does the job involve? Transforming raw hide into leather and generating the majority of its added value. Emphasis is placed on practical work and students need a wide range of skills: observation, good touch, a sharp eye, practicality, stringency and an eye for beauty. ITECH leather engineers work for large chemical companies, in tanneries and taweries and also for users: leather goods manufacturers, footwear manufacturers, etc… The leather market is global: extreme mobility, versatility and adaptability are required.

An international approach

In order to respond to the demands of European industrials who are eager to recruit specialized engineers in R&D, ITECH Lyon lauched on September 2014 the European Section, a 3-year engineering training completely taught in English.

The project of creating an European section was initiated by ITECH Lyon in collaboration with FIPEC (Federation of French Industries of Paints, Inks, Colors, Adhesives and Wood preservatives) in order to meet recruitment demands of paint engineers in Europe which was identified by CEPE (European Council of Paints, Printing Inks and Colour Artists). These needs of recruitment are estimated at 220 engineers per year over the next 5 years. These industries are thus offering numerous opportunities for careers.

ITECH Lyon was entrusted with the task of spearheading this initiative. As Jérôme Marcilloux, Head of ITECH Lyon, explains:

Our project institute was chosen as we are the reference school in terms of engineering training specializing in paints and inks.

 

A world renowned institution

ITECH Lyon is also a world renowned leather institution, with some of the largest companies in the industry, as well as SMEs, recruiting ITECH leather engineers.

Our strong points

• Guaranteed valuable student work experience: 12 months of internships over the 3-year course, with an additional 9 months for gap years
• International experience: at least 1 exchange semester + internships abroad
• Strong industrial network
• High employment rate after graduation (60% upon graduation day…)
• Accredited master’s level degree: CTI (France) and EUR-ACE (Europe)
• Full program available in English and French
• Social sciences and entrepreneurship courses to give you a multi-disciplinary approach to your career.

A strong industrial network

If education is ITECH’s first vocation, its links with industry are amongst its strong points. These are translated through strong partnerships in the R&D fields. ITECH Lyon and its subsidiary ITECH Entreprises offer scientific and technical contractual services in the form of industrial studies, trials, consulting, material leasing and vocational training.