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2026-07-30 15:48 UTC → 2026-08-24 13:51 UTC ·
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Fibre Excellence's Saint‑Gaudens Soprema submits takeover bid for Saint-Gaudens plant gets final reprieve
After the Toulouse commercial court rejected Mathieu Pigasse’s €90 million rescue bid on 27 July 2026, the court on 29 July ordered Following the judicial liquidation of Fibre Excellence’s Tarascon pulp‑and‑paper plant, putting roughly 270 jobs at risk. Industrial group Soprema signalled interest in the sister Saint‑Gaudens site, offering a €2 million guarantee and coordinating with Belgian paper firm VPK Group and energy provider Engie. Later that same day the Toulouse commercial court confirmed the liquidation of the Saint‑Gaudens factory but has granted a temporary continuation of activity to give a prospective buyer time final reprieve to submit a formal takeover offer. The buyer – identified as the Saint‑Gaudens site. On 24 August 2026, the Alsatian group Soprema Soprema, in partnership with VPK Group and Engie – must file Engie, submitted a proposal and formal takeover bid for the Saint‑Gaudens facility, which employs approximately 270 workers. This submission follows a €2 period of intense instability. After the company entered judicial recovery in April 2026, various rescue attempts failed, including a €90 million deposit proposal from financier Matthieu Pigasse that was rejected by 24 August; otherwise the plant will be liquidated court on 15 September. Regional 27 July. The rejection of Pigasse’s bid, which the government deemed “not at the level” required, had previously led to worker occupations and the confirmed liquidation of the Tarascon site. To support the Saint‑Gaudens rescue, regional authorities in Occitanie and Haute‑Garonne have each pledged €5 million million. The commercial court has scheduled a verdict for 8 September, with a final deadline of 3 September for any potential improvements to support the rescue effort. Union delegate Sébastien Oustric welcomed Soprema offer. While the stay, saying workers can “breathe a little better”, but submission has provided some relief, the future of the site plant remains uncertain. contingent on the court’s upcoming decision.