Here is why the industrialist Safran prefers France in the United States to set up his new factory

Thanks to guaranteed access to electricity at competitive prices, Safran, the French aeronautical giant, announced Thursday the construction of a new carbon brake plant in Ain. This investment, which will exceed 450 million euros in the long term, strengthens the group’s industrial establishment in France. “We have made this decision on completely objective and economic criteria,” said Safran Director of Safran Olivier Andriès during a conference call, recalling that “energy represents 30 % of carbon brake production costs”.

“The warranty for this new factory of secure access to decarbonized electricity at a stable and competitive long -term price allowed this choice of implementation,” the group said in a press release. Safran said, at the end of 2024, to hesitate to install this project in North America due to the cost of energy.

“Thanks to EDF”, reacts Emmanuel Macron

Ain was chosen at the expense of a location in Oregon, the United States, and another in Quebec, taking into consideration “the cost of acquiring the field, the cost of connection and the aids that are received at this level and the cost of electricity and energy”, underlined Olivier Andriès. “The change of leadership” at EDF with Bernard Fontana who replaced Luc Rémont in May “counted a lot” in this decision, he argued.

“We have entered a new dynamic of discussion with EDF since May compared to the situation where we were at the very beginning of the year. It counted a lot. We took all this into account to achieve a situation where, at the end of the ends, the French option was the most competitive, ”detailed the manager.

“A choice of sovereignty and reindustrialisation, decarbonation and the future! Thanks to EDF: our clean and competitive electricity attracts world leaders. The industry is here! “Reacted French President Emmanuel Macron on social networks. The announcement of the location of this factory in France had been made by the president in 2019 and the state services, mainly in Bercy, have since mobilized to make this competitive project for Safran.

The State provided a subsidy up to 15 million euros and the region made a subsidy promise of 16 million euros, it is told in Bercy.

The time limit for connection to RTE electricity transport networks, a key point for plant locations, was shortened at 45 months for this project against 60 months usually. EDF “is delighted with the choice made by Safran to install its factory in France and thus be able to provide it with competitive and decarbonated electricity for the needs of its future project,” the energy company reacted in a press release.

200 jobs by 2030

This factory, whose entry into service is scheduled in 2030, will complete the existing global system of Safran which already has installations for the manufacture of carbon brakes in Villeurbanne (France), Walton (United States) and Sendayan (Malaysia).

This site will allow Safran to gradually increase its production to reach a 25 % increase in 2037 compared to its current capacities. Some 200 “highly qualified” jobs will be created by 2040, said Olivier Andriès.

The arrival of Safran in Ain “is the fruit of collective, demanding work, conducted with method and determination by the region” Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, also underlined Fabrice Pannekoucke, president of the region. “With this new factory, we strengthen our position as world leader in carbon brakes and secure our ability to support our customers, in a context of strong growth in air traffic,” said Olivier Andriès.

Safran Landing Systems teams up to date 55 % of commercial aircraft with more than 100 places and supports more than 500 airlines. More efficient and lighter, the carbon brakes offer endurance three times higher than the steel brakes while allowing operators to reduce their fuel consumption.