This is the second flax spinning mill to open in France, after that launched in Hirsingue (Haut-Rhin) by the Velcorex-Emmanuel Lang group in 2020, said the Norman agro-industrial group.

The last French flax mills had been relocated in the early 2000s.

“Since Friday, there has been yarn coming out every day” in Saint-Martin-du-Tilleul, Karim Behlouli, general manager of NatUp Fibres, told AFP.

Nearly 4.4 million euros have been invested with 25% subsidies, from the State and the Region, and 25% advancement from these funders.

The two French spinning mills "are complementary", according to Mr. Behlouli.

The Norman spinning mill produces "wet" flax intended for the manufacture of fine fabric clothing and household linen, while the Alsacienne spins "dry" flax for thicker fabrics such as jeans or those intended for furnishing. , added Mr. Behlouli.

A worker at the flax mill which has just opened in Saint-Martin-du-Tilleul, in Normandy, on February 23, 2022 Sameer Al-DOUMY AFP

To relaunch this know-how in Normandy, the group bought nine machines (seven in China, one in Italy and one in Germany).

And he is in the process of training the 27 employees of his flax combing factory (one of the stages prior to spinning) in Saint-Martin-du-Tilleul.

The training is provided by the site manager who "was a spinner in his youth, saw the machines leave for Tunisia" and arrived at the Saint-Martin-du-Tilleul factory "a few years ago", says Mr. Behlouli.

He announces the "ongoing" recruitment of 25 people within two months to two years, depending on market demand.

"We have to find all these customers who will fill the order book" but the first garment in Norman linen yarn should see the light of day in the coming weeks, assures Mr. Behlouli.

The goal is to produce 250 tons of yarn per year, the equivalent of 1.25 million shirts or 750,000 yoga pants.

A worker at the flax mill which has just opened in Saint-Martin-du-Tilleul, in Normandy, on February 23, 2022 Sameer Al-DOUMY AFP

NatUp targets French weaving and tailoring for 100% made in France clothing.

Its thread is at 22 euros per kg, against 16 to 17 euros for Chinese linen thread, according to Mr. Behlouli.

France is the first flax producer in the world.

But 80% of production goes to China and 20% to Eastern Europe.

© 2022 AFP