Caudan – 27.06.2026: Fonderie de Bretagne, a traditional foundry company based in Caudan, Brittany, has filed for judicial restructuring following its acquisition by the French industrial group Europlasma in April 2025. This was announced on Friday by the CGT union. The decision, to be made at an extraordinary Economic Committee meeting next Tuesday, comes after repeated warnings about the company’s financial situation, which had so far been ignored.
Europlasma, known for acquiring struggling industrial companies, recorded a net loss of 35.6 million euros in 2025, more than double that of the previous year. In April 2025, Europlasma took over Fonderie de Bretagne, which specializes in producing cast parts for suspensions and exhaust systems. Europlasma had announced plans to invest 15 million euros over three years at the Caudan site and diversify production, particularly by manufacturing hollow bodies for mortar shells.
Despite these promises, problems arose. In January 2026, a severe fire was reported in one of the foundry’s furnaces, leading to a production halt. Furthermore, Europlasma did not fully implement the pledged investments. Maël Le Goff, CGT union representative at FDB, criticized: “Europlasma has not fulfilled the financial and industrial commitments made at the time of the takeover.”
Sébastien Martin, the Minister responsible for industry, also expressed criticism: “I note that Europlasma has not met the financial and industrial obligations assumed during the acquisition. The announced contributions and promised investments have fallen far short of what was presented in court. The state and municipalities have met their commitments and supported the company, especially after the fire earlier this year. Payroll dates are approaching, and the executives and shareholders of Europlasma responsible for this situation must be held accountable.”
In April 2026, Europlasma had initiated talks with a “French defense company” about a potential sale of its defense activities, but no announcement has been made since. A subsidiary of Europlasma, Satma Industries, was placed under judicial restructuring by the Grenoble Commercial Court on June 2, 2026. Another subsidiary, FP Industries, specializing in asbestos remediation and industrial pollution, is being liquidated.
Fonderie de Bretagne, once an important supplier for Renault, employed about 260 people as of January 2026. The current situation raises questions about the company’s future and its workforce.
NEWSDESK
Sources
- Le Progrès
- L’Est Républicain