French glass manufacturers Arc and Duralex have restarted glass production after high energy prices,  primarily as a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, had forced the shutdown of their glass manufacturing ovens several months ago.

Tableware producer Arc International reignited its ovens in Arques, in Pas-de-Calais, having ceased a number of  activities eight months ago due to soaring gas prices. The event was welcomed by Roland Lescure, French Minister Delegate for Industry, who attended the event. “I am delighted today to see the company increase its production and successfully overcome this new ordeal, thanks to the mobilisation of its employees and its managers and its shareholder, supported by the State.”

The Minister announced a new loan of €10 million for the glassworks, which will double an investment of €10 million from the shareholder, PHP. Arc has nearly 7,500 employees, including 4,500 in France. In addition to restarting its furnaces, the group has undertaken to decarbonise, with the objective of reducing annual CO2 emissions by 49 ktCO2/y.

Elsewhere, tableware glass maker Duralex re-started production from its furnace at the La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin facility in the middle of April 2023. It had suffered a five-month shutdown having put its oven on standby in November 2022 and placing all of its employees on partial unemployment to save on energy and preserve its finances. According to the Times, Duralex also received a €15 million loan to help restart its glass manufacture activities.

Its CEO Jose Luis Llacuna said “I am very happy today to inform you all that, thanks to the efforts and resilience of our employees, the management team, our shareholder and the precious help of the French state, Duralex is resuming its industrial production at its site in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin.”

The president of Duralex, José-Luis Llacuna, estimated the losses of the glassmaker at €2 million as a result of the 5 month production stoppage.