Between North America and France, Safran’s heart has changed in favor of Ain. Just before the publication of its half-yearly results, the French engine manufacturer announced, this Thursday, July 31, the investment, in the long term, of 450 million euros for the establishment of a new factory in Ambérieu-en-Bugey, 50 km east of Lyon, intended to make carbon brakes. Entry into service is scheduled for 2030.
A missed opportunity for Donald Trump whose trade war intends to encourage companies in the strategic sectors to locate their production on American soil. The elected site, the Plaine de l’Ain industrial park, was in competition with other places in Oregon (United States), Quebec, in the Territoire de Belfort and the Metropolis of Lyon.
Safran is the world leader in carbon brakes, of which it equips 55 % of commercial aircraft with more than 100 places. Intended for the aeronautical sector, they are more efficient and lighter than the traditional steel brakes, “Allowing operators to reduce their fuel consumption”, welcomed the group.
Emmanuel Macron immediately praised on social networks “A choice of sovereignty and reindustrialisation” which is part of its ambition to relocate strategic production in France, before addressing its thanks: “Thanks to EDF: our clean and competitive electricity attracts world leaders.”
Because it is the promise of access to affordable electricity that convinced Safran to set up in France. “The energy that can represent up to 30 % of the cost of manufacturing a carbon brake, the warranty for this new factory of secure access to decarbonized electricity at a long -term stable and competitive price has allowed this choice of establishment”, said the group in a press release.
The project has been the subject of direct negotiations between EDF and Safran, notably on the Mégawatt Hours Prize, the Ministry of Economy told AFP, without the figure being specified. An effort was also promised by RTE, the electricity manager in France, to shorten the time to connect the site from 60 months on average to 45 months. An argument that often weighs in the choice of an establishment for industrialists.
The announcement of the installation of this factory in France was made in 2019 by Emmanuel Macron. It took six years for the project to materialize. The state provided a subsidy up to 15 million euros and the region promised 16 million euros, said Bercy.
“This establishment is a strong signal for Ain, which confirms its industrial potential and its ability to attract major technological investments”, reacted Olga Givernet, deputy together of Ain and former Minister of Energy of the Barnier government, in a press release.
This announcement was made on the sidelines of the half -yearly results of Safran, published this Thursday. The equipment supplier and engine manufacturer displays a growing turnover at 14.8 billion euros in the first half of 2025, up 13.2 %. In addition, its current operating profit jumped 27 %. “Safran recorded excellent results in the first half of 2025, with a record operating margin of 17 % […] carried by the vigor of service activities for civilian engines ”, said Olivier Andriès, Managing Director of Safran.
The propulsion branch, with an operating result up 37 %, benefited from the high demand for civil engines. Likewise for the equipment and defense division (+7 %) which notably produces landing trains and carbon brakes.
This good financial health has led Safran to note all of its annual forecasts, especially as commercial negotiations with the United States are favorable to it: “Regarding international trade, we salute advances with a view to exemption from transatlantic customs duties on the majority of aeronautical products.”
