Brittany Region

Strong economic environment

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The sea as a vector of economy and innovation in Saint-Malo

In Saint-Malo, whose history has always been strongly linked to the sea, captains of industry at the origin of renowned companies have succeeded the privateers and great discoverers of past centuries. We find in particular :

  • The Roullier Group, the leading French agricultural supply company,
  • The Beaumanoir Group, one of the French leaders in the distribution of textile products,
  • Silverwood, the nation's leading wood import and processing center,
  • Laiterie Malo, manufacturer of dairy products, world leader in the production of Roller milk powder for chocolate makers.
Economy and innovation in Saint Malo

This territory, with its varied economic fabric, also has an exceptional tourist offer, both in terms of facilities and events, which brings its attendance to about 4 million visitors per year, including 25,000 people who visit the Thermes Marins de Saint-Malo every year.

The sea is also the main asset for Saint-Malo, opening up to international trade and placing its commercial port among the main Breton ports with more than 1,250,000 passengers. Within the Rennes Atalante-Saint-Malo Technopole, it is a source of innovation and development. Researchers, schools and companies are working on technological projects in the food, cosmetics, digital and marine biotechnology sectors.

Economy and innovation in Saint Malo

And if for more than 50 years, the La Rance dam and its tidal power plant has been the most visited industrial site in France and one of the first symbols of sustainable development, Saint-Malo is also the home port of ENERGY OBSERVER, the first hydrogen ship around the world. Developed in collaboration with CEA-Liten engineers, the ship's objective is to test and demonstrate the efficiency of a complete energy production chain based on the coupling of different renewable energies.

After its launch in Saint-Malo in April 2017, the ship left for a six-year world tour (2017-2022) to optimize its technologies and promote sustainable solutions for the energy transition. She was named the first ambassador of the Sustainable Development Goals by the Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition.