Resumption of Ascoval: Bruno Le Maire recalls Vallourec to "his responsibilities"

Strasbourg – The Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire reminded Tuesday to his "responsibilities" the group Vallourec, who announced that it was "not possible" to provide the support requested by the candidate Altifort to the resumption of the Ascoval northern steel mill.

"The State will remind Vallourec of its responsibilities if it came to Vallourec the idea of ​​forgetting them", said the Mayor on the sidelines of a trip to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

"You can not disengage from the site, its employees so easily, so quickly, by washing your hands. This is unacceptable", he added.

The tribunal de grande instance of Strasbourg will decide Wednesday on the future of Ascoval, former steel mill of Saint-Saulve (North) near Valenciennes, created in 1975 by Vallourec and employs 281 employees.

Vallourec said Monday that Altifort's request for support, which it figures at 51 million euros, would be "contrary to the preservation of the interests of the group".

The reactions of anger did not take long, as much on the side of Altifort as unions and elected officials.

Secretary of State Agnès Pannier-Runacher participated Tuesday morning in Valenciennes at a meeting "to continue discussions on the revival of the Ascoval steelworks"with local representatives, Ascoval staff representatives and Vallourec managers.

Vallourec, of which the State is a shareholder, sold 60% of Ascoval to the Asco Industries group, retaining 40% with order commitments. But Asco Industries was put into liquidation in February and since then, the steelworks is waiting for a buyer.

Two candidates came forward: the Iranian group Boost, which submitted a letter of intent, and the Franco-Belgian group specializing in Altifort specialty materials, which made "a firm offer".

"We have always favored the solution of a recovery"but"we are a responsible state and a responsible state, it is someone who does not engage lightly with employees", explained Tuesday the Mayor.

"If we have a solution that the tribunal de grande instance believes is sustainable, (…) it should be favored", if not "it will be necessary to find another solution with absolute priority: the situation of each employee", he added.