"White smoke" for the steelworks Ascoval Wednesday?

A meeting "decisive" on the fate of the steel mill Ascoval in Saint-Saulve is scheduled for Wednesday at Bercy, announced the Northern Communist MP, Fabien Roussel. According to him, "things are moving in the right direction".

"We are convened in Bercy Wednesday, October 31 at 10am for the final decision" on the future of the steel mill and its 281 employees, said the MP. "I hope it will be for a white smoke. Already on Friday, a series of technical meetings had already brought together stakeholders in Paris.

External advice requested by the government

The steel mill is in danger of disappearing since the judicial liquidation in February of its largest shareholder, Asco Industries. Justice granted him, last Wednesday, a two-week reprieve.

The Franco-Belgian group Altifort presented a
take-over bid, rejected by Vallourec, now alone in charge of the steelworks. "We know that Vallourec will not participate in this effort, except social obligations. On the other hand, the State is looking for an industrial solution, "said Mr. Roussel.

Before taking any decision on any public support, the government asked for an independent opinion on Ascoval's economic situation. According to Fabien Roussel, this firm of experts "has not been appointed dependent". He "collaborates with Altifort and its founder Bart Gruyaert to find a solution," said the MP.

"I spoke today with Bart Gruyaert, he tells me that, thanks to the mobilization of employees and the press, he has recovered four proposals of companies ready to provide himself at home […] Things are moving in the right direction, "he added.