A box for transporting goods mainly used in industry, the container is starting to be reused, in particular to provide housing or other equipment to individuals, professionals or communities. In Moselle, several companies have invested in this market with strong ecological values.
It appears more and more in the urban landscape and buildings. The container is readily exported from the docks and its reuse is on the rise. In the region, a few companies have taken the plunge. This is the case for CH Container. Founded in Eloyes in the Vosges, the company has exported its activity to Moselle, and offers several properties for sale around Metz.
“A home built with a container is very well insulated, that’s our strength. In terms of heating consumption, there is a difference of around 30% compared to a conventional home. It’s interesting with the increase in energy prices,” assures Alexandre Claudot, manager of the company which employs four employees.
A significant advantage, on the one hand in terms of ecology, but also for the household wallet. “Banks are having trouble lending at the moment. For a new house of 110 m², turnkey, count on around 110,000 euros for the purchase,” estimates the boss of CH Container. To fit out a container, the company spends around 460 euros on materials per square meter and can provide itself. A winning method for everyone.
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We still have to accept the fact that we are going to live in a goods transport box. “We really don’t feel like we’re in a container. It’s really good to live there when it’s set up. Today, people are starting to take the plunge. Especially since we have more requests coming from Luxembourg. We will perhaps open a North Moselle branch,” emphasizes Alexandre Claudot.
Habitats, but not only
The container can be reused for purposes other than housing. The company FPS SARL, based in Metzervisse, which has seven employees, reuses these boxes in many contexts. “During the 2023-2024 financial year, we sold around forty transformed and decorated containers, it’s the little thing we do extra. We can have snacks, technical workshops for manufacturers, stands, offices, etc.
Some want to DIY by themselves
We even sold nearly 150 raw containers to people who want to DIY them themselves,” explains manager Olivier Marchiol. The company sources its supplies as close as possible to the Moselle to limit raw material costs. “We buy the containers in Antwerp or Le Havre, which are the two ports closest to us, knowing that from Belgium, transport costs less. “. Transport, a “significant cost” in the container environment. “We work in the Grand Est, mainly in Moselle, Meurthe-et-Moselle and a little in Meuse with farmers.”
A difficult market
Although there are not a huge number of companies in the region, the reuse of containers is starting to develop well in the department. “There are two of us on the Moselle. In all of Lorraine, there must be around ten of us,” comments the manager. On the other hand, the market can be very competitive on the web.
“When you look for containers on the internet, you will find lots of results and not necessarily in the area. These are companies that focus on advertising and are not expensive because they produce a series. In addition, you really have to be careful on the internet because even on raw containers, there are a lot of scams,” laments Olivier Marchiol.
To succeed in “getting by”, FPS SARL is obliged to consider its activity in a broader manner. “We do a little bit of everything. Making only containers can be complicated. We rehabilitate dumpsters, we make guardrails for individuals…”. An area which still has considerable room for progress, at a time when the hunt for waste is taking an important part in the ecological issues of the moment.
Arthur Carmier
