Renault reportedly set to support Fonderie de Bretagne with 4.5 million euros

Caudan – 17.07.2026: According to a report by Franceinfo, Renault appears to be on the verge of providing 4.5 million euros to rescue Fonderie de Bretagne. The foundry in Caudan, Brittany, has been in court-supervised restructuring proceedings since July 3. The announced support could prevent the site, which employs 245 people, from being liquidated.

According to information reported by Franceinfo, citing France Inter, Renault is in principle prepared to release the required amount. However, there was initially no official confirmation from the group that a binding payment decision had been made. It therefore remains unclear under what conditions the money would be transferred and what obligations this would entail for the current owner, Europlasma.

After the restructuring proceedings were opened, the Commercial Court of Lorient gave Fonderie de Bretagne until July 17 to secure financing for its operations. Several reports had previously put the short-term capital requirement at at least three million euros. Without sufficient funds, the long-established industrial facility in the Morbihan department faced closure.

Fonderie de Bretagne manufactures cast parts originally intended mainly for the automotive industry, including components for chassis and exhaust systems. Renault was long the owner and the plant’s main customer. In April 2025, the Europlasma group took over operations as part of earlier restructuring proceedings. The takeover was linked to plans to diversify production.

Alongside the remaining automotive business, Europlasma wanted to secure contracts in the defense sector. However, the renewed financial shortfall shows how uncertain the transformation of the site remains. Employees and union representatives had recently called on Renault to once again take part in a solution, as the carmaker is closely tied to the plant’s history and capacity utilization.

A commitment of 4.5 million euros would exceed the previously cited minimum amount needed for short-term stabilization. However, it would not automatically solve all structural problems. The key question remains whether the foundry can secure sufficient long-term orders, reliable investment and viable financing. Europlasma’s role and the specific terms of any Renault support are also likely to be the focus now.

For employees in Caudan, a swift agreement would be an important interim step. The site is regarded as a major industrial employer in the Lorient region. A rescue from liquidation would initially preserve jobs and industrial expertise. A lasting future, however, depends on whether the planned reorientation can be implemented economically and secured through long-term orders.