French foundry Fonderie de Bretagne files for bankruptcy after shell casing plan fails

The Fonderie de Bretagne (FDB), a French foundry in Caudan, has been placed under judicial administration for payment defaults, just over a year after being saved from bankruptcy. The site, which had resumed operations in May 2025 under the French group Europlasma with plans to manufacture shell casings, faced a setback when a furnace caught fire in January. This incident led to a prolonged operational suspension and a continuous decline in cash flow, according to the company.

Europlasma had committed to investing 15 million euros over three years to adapt the FDB site. However, trade unions claim the group has not fully delivered on its financial promises. The company stated that the "prolonged interruption, combined with the now-confirmed uncertainty about the date of a robust resumption of operations, has led to a continuous deterioration of cash flow."

The foundry, formerly a subsidiary of Renault, had been rescued from judicial administration by Europlasma, saving approximately 250 of its 285 jobs. The state had supported the recovery with 7 million euros in preferential loans. The current situation, however, has led to the company being placed under judicial administration on July 3rd.

“

The prolonged interruption, combined with the now-confirmed uncertainty about the date of a robust resumption of operations, has led to a continuous deterioration of cash flow.