“An information consultation procedure has been launched, which could lead to the cessation of activity of Papeteries de Dijon SAS and the closure of the Dijon production site.” It is in these terms that Tetra Pak has just announced what would represent a real blow to the Burgundian capital if it materializes. But who could doubt it given the arguments put forward? The world leader in cardboard liquid food packaging justifies the procedure by the drop in production volumes and the increase in production costs. Despite significant investments “in operational efficiency” and the increase in export volumes, “the situation is no longer viable”he emphasizes. 207 employees would be impacted. The decision is not expected for at least three months, according to a spokesperson for the group.
A utilization rate dropped to 65%
Established in Longvic, in the Dijon metropolitan area (Côte-d'Or), since 1971, the Papeteries de Dijon factory, which produces coils used in the manufacture of bricks using the FFS process, is considered a technological benchmark for the group. Swedish origin. But it is faced with the loss of speed of this packaging on the drinks market, particularly in France, and with increases in the costs of raw materials and energy. In a press release, Tetra Pak reports a reduction in production volumes of 15% between 2019 and 2023, and of 24% on the domestic market. “As a result, the plant’s utilization rate dropped from 71 to 65 percent during the same period.” At the same time, production costs rose by 24.4%. And, according to the company, the measures taken to improve the situation were not enough, “notably the increase in volumes intended for export and investments of 33 million euros in new technologies and operational capabilities”.
A psychosocial risk prevention unit
On a social level, Tetra Pak indicates that “Dijon employees will be a priority”. To quote, “if the site ceases its activities at the end of the process”support “through several options such as adaptation or retraining training measures and/or through business creation”. Given the impact of the announcement, an internal psychosocial risk prevention unit has already been set up.
Other activities preserved
But reducing the industrial footprint would not mean disengagement from the French market. “France remains a key market for the group”reiterates the group. In the event of a cessation of activity, coil production would be transferred to other Tetra Pak sites in Europe. And the other activities would not be affected, neither the head office in Puteaux (Hauts-de-Seine), nor the corks and capsules factory in Châteaubriant (Loire-Atlantique), nor the unit in May-sur-Evre ( Maine-et-Loire), which brings together a product development center and a center of excellence for powder processing engineering.
-Tetra Pak is not mentioning at this stage the search for a buyer, in application of the law of March 29, 2014 known as “Florange”.
A Tetra Laval company, which owns Sidel, the specialist in blowing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, Tetra Pak achieved a turnover of 12.7 billion euros in 2023, employs 24,300 employees and has 51 factories. in the world.
