The SILVATECH facility is a national platform dedicated to the analysis of forest ecosystems and wood.

It aims to provide research communities with innovative analytical and imaging technologies capable of deciphering the structures, properties, and functions of trees under multiple stresses, from their natural ecosystem to wood as a material.

SILVATECH offers analytical expertise and development capabilities to regional, national, and international research units through enhanced support for integrative research programs (ecology, ecophysiology, biogeochemistry, functioning of forest-grassland-aquatic ecosystems, dendrometry, wood anatomy and properties, structure–property relationships, wood science). It particularly supports scientific objectives and projects aimed at (i) understanding trade-offs in the acquisition and allocation of resources (C, N, water, nutrients) and their use, and (ii) linking environmental determinants to the hydraulic and biomechanical properties of wood under multiple contexts (wind, drought, forestry practices, uses). The facility also plays an increasing role in national and international networks, regional and European training initiatives, and in attracting international researchers.

Functionally, SILVATECH is organized into two interconnected technical units: the Isotopy-Chemistry (IC) unit and the Imaging and Multi-Modal Measurements (I3M) unit.

Both units also rely on sample preparation workshops (microtomy and cryomicrotomy, freeze-drying, metallization, grinding, micro-weighing, extractions) and design workshops (wood, mechanics, additive printing).