Logistics in the Plaine de l’Ain is attracting a growing number of industrial companies and distributors. Midway between Lyon and Geneva, this territory offers a rare geographic position.
Saint-Vulbas, at the heart of this basin, has become an unmissable hub. Astr’in has been established here for over 20 years. Here is why this location makes perfect sense for your supply chain.
The Plaine de l’Ain: An Exceptional Geographic Position
Logistics in the Plaine de l’Ain benefits first and foremost from a remarkable central position. This territory is located in the Ain department (01), approximately 40 km east of Lyon. It sits at the crossroads of the Lyon-Geneva axis (A42) and the North-South axis (A46), meaning that flows towards Italy and Switzerland pass through naturally.
Moreover, the Plaine de l’Ain benefits from a rail connection with a dedicated branch line and is close to Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport. This makes it a rare multimodal location for a territory of this size.
In practical terms, from Saint-Vulbas you can reach Lyon in 40 minutes, the Geneva basin in 45 minutes and Grenoble in 1 hour 15 minutes. A logistics base here therefore efficiently serves the entire Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
The Parc Industriel de la Plaine de l’Ain (PIPA) is one of the largest private industrial parks in Europe, home to more than 200 companies and over 10,000 jobs.
It hosts players from a wide variety of sectors including agri-food, chemicals, logistics, energy and pharmaceuticals.
Saint-Vulbas: The Logistics Heart of the Plaine de l’Ain
Among the municipalities of the Plaine de l’Ain, Saint-Vulbas occupies a unique position. It is here that the largest logistics platforms in the territory are concentrated, from agri-food players and pharmaceutical laboratories to national logistics providers.
Saint-Vulbas is also a benchmark for products with specific constraints.
The territory has infrastructure adapted to hazardous, refrigerated or regulated products. In addition, land availability remains strong, a significant advantage compared to the saturated areas of the Lyon metropolitan area.
Astr’in Headquarters and SEVESO Platform in Saint-Vulbas
Saint-Vulbas is where Astr’in has established its headquarters and its flagship logistics platform. This choice reflects the territory’s strategic position for serving the group’s 30 sites across France.
The platform holds a high-threshold SEVESO classification.
Built in 2018, it incorporates an automatic fire detection and suppression system, a sprinkler network compliant with NFPA standards, a 1,300 m³ water reserve, storage cells separated by 4-hour fire walls, and a containment basin to prevent any pollution in the event of an incident.
For companies managing chemical or hazardous products, this infrastructure meets highly stringent regulatory requirements. It is one of the few private platforms in the region to achieve this level of certification.
What Astr’in Can Manage from Saint-Vulbas
Hazardous goods storage (SEVESO)
The platform accommodates the storage of hazardous materials across various ADR classes.
It is one of the few private facilities in the region authorised to receive such products under maximum safety conditions.
Conventional storage: bulk and block
Beyond hazardous goods, the platform offers bulk and block storage for all types of goods.
The available space at Saint-Vulbas is part of the 320,000 m² of warehouses managed by Astr’in across France.
Regional and national transport
Saint-Vulbas is one of the main departure points for Astr’in’s delivery rounds. From this hub, teams serve Lyon, the Bugey area, Isère and national routes on a daily basis.
Approximately 30% of the fleet runs on B100 or CNG, enabling deliveries within Low Emission Zones (ZFE) without restriction.
On-site logistics
Some companies on the PIPA prefer to keep their own warehouse. In this case, Astr’in can deploy teams directly on their premises. This is the in-situ model: you keep your facilities, and Astr’in takes care of the staff and the processes.
Why Choose a Locally Based Provider in the Plaine de l’Ain
Working with a local provider offers concrete advantages. First, the responsiveness is immediate, in an emergency,
Astr’in teams can be on site within minutes. Second, the knowledge of the territory is deep: Astr’in has been in Saint-Vulbas for over 20 years and knows the local businesses and their constraints.
In addition, the certifications are tailored to local requirements: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, MASE, OEA and high-threshold SEVESO authorisation, prerequisites that are frequently required in the region’s industrial tenders.
Finally, the proximity of the headquarters ensures a rapid response to every specific request.
Are you based in the Plaine de l’Ain or looking for a logistics base between Lyon and Geneva?
Astr’in offers you a personalised study
