Overview
- The Strasbourg commercial court validated the bid from a Métal Blanc–led consortium, keeping only the Leffrinckoucke site near Dunkirk under new ownership.
- Plants in Saint-Étienne, Custines and Hagondange will be liquidated, with about 550 job losses overall and roughly 450 at Hagondange; about 144 positions are retained at Leffrinckoucke.
- Industry minister Sébastien Martin announced civil and possible criminal action against Greybull, saying the fund failed to deliver a promised €90 million as the state provided about €85 million.
- Greybull disputes the accusation, asserting it met obligations and blaming deeper-than-expected industrial problems rather than financing shortfalls.
- A rival offer from Europlasma was judged weaker; written reasons for the ruling are due this week, the transfer is slated for 1 December, and unions are now focused on severance terms after protests and blockades.