Celebrating 25 years of French-American Philanthropy
Groupe ESB, École Supérieure du Bois, wood, engineering school,
ESB logo, Ecole Superieure du Bois, wood, engineering

Groupe École Supérieure du Bois (ESB)

dedicated to building a sustainable future through innovative solutions based on renewable, natural resources, and training future experts.

Mission & Vision

Founded in 1934 to meet the growing demand for labor in the industrial sector, the École Supérieure du Bois (ESB) is the oldest French engineering school specializing in wood and biosourced materials science and technology. Across its core missions (education, research, and industry services), ESB is dedicated to building a sustainable future through innovative solutions based on renewable, natural resources.

As the world moves toward a circular economy, expertise in wood and other biosourced materials is becoming essential to address today’s environmental challenges.

For the past 90 years, ESB has trained hundreds of students in the properties, technologies, and applications of wood and biosourced materials. Today, the ESB Group continues its mission: to imagine, design, and develop cutting-edge solutions that respond to society’s urgent need for sustainability.

Actions Led

Every day, ESB pursues its mission through three main areas of action:

  • Educational programs that train future experts capable of joining companies and developing technical, sustainable solutions using wood and other biosourced materials.
  • Robust research aimed at deepening knowledge of the properties, technologies, and applications of wood and other plant-based biosourced materials.
  • Support for companies, assisting with recruitment, employee training, and the development of innovative projects.

Each year, over 400 students benefit from a wide range of resources and facilities, including:

  • Academic spaces with large classrooms and lecture halls, along with areas for student-led initiatives.
  • Specialized workshops for material transformation, equipped with industrial machinery.
  • Technical resources, such as a model-making studio for creating prototypes and mock-ups.
  • Scientific laboratories focused on microscopy, wood anatomy, and more.

In addition to offering students a high-quality academic environment, ESB is actively engaged in the green transition. The school organizes workshops to raise awareness about environmental issues and promotes sustainable projects within its community.

Finally, Groupe École Supérieure du Bois is committed to student well-being by providing financial support to those in need, ensuring that every student can thrive in their academic journey.

Projects That U.S. Donors Can Support

By donating to Groupe École Supérieure du Bois, you can contribute to:

  • A Scholarship Program to help students facing financial difficulties and facilitate universal access to higher education for students from all backgrounds.
  • Support for Educational Projects, such as workshops on the circular economy, that help create knowledge on wood and other biosourced materials, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and resilient world.

Support Groupe École Supérieure du Bois (ESB)

Make a tax-deductible donation to Groupe École Supérieure du Bois (ESB) thanks to Friends of Fondation de France

News & updates from Groupe École Supérieure du Bois (ESB)