The decision to pre-empt this site located in Grand-Couronne in the suburbs of Rouen and called "Chapelle Darblay" was notified to UPM, the press service of the Finnish company told AFP on Friday.

Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, the PS president of the Metropolis of Rouen, also confirmed this decision during a press conference.

The community announced in October its desire to exercise this right of preemption on this factory which was, according to it, "the largest recycling site" for paper and cardboard in France, before its closure in 2020 and the dismissal of 228 people.

The Metropolis said it was aiming for a takeover by the world leader in water and waste, Veolia, associated with Fiber Excellence, the leading French producer of merchant pulp.

The objective is to "sell behind" to "preserve know-how and direct the future of this site towards the circular economy, recycling paper-packaging", specified Mr. Mayer-Rossignol to AFP.

The Samfi/Paprec project announced by UPM "includes a waste sorting activity, without recycling, and the establishment within three to five years of a hydrogen production unit. The skills (...) of the Darblay Chapel would then be lost", assured the Metropolis of Rouen in October.

“We are now going to take the next step and see officially with such and such a solid and credible industrialist the feasibility of an industrial project geared towards the circular economy and reindustrialization,” said Mr. Mayer-Rossignol on Friday.

In a statement to AFP, Veolia and Fiber Excellence "welcomed the commitment of Métropole Rouen Normandie", which the two groups see as an "essential prerequisite" for the progress of their joint project which they hope to lead. in the best conditions".

However, the Métropole will not be the owner before the beginning of May due to the appeal deadlines.

UPM said Friday to study the possible follow-up.

In addition, the community must acquire the machines following a decision that it must take in council at the end of February, according to Mr. Mayer-Rossignol.

The pre-emption notified on Friday only concerns land.

The acquisition of the land costs 5 million euros and that of the machines 3 million excluding tax, according to the Metropolis.

"It's very very good. It's the first strong act", welcomed Cyril Briffault of the CGT during the press conference.

© 2022 AFP