Duralex employees will take over the running of the emblematic French glassmaker after a decision by a court.

The Orléans Commercial Court validated a takeover project for the Duralex glassworks on Friday, July 26, 2024, which will save 228 jobs. 

Among the three takeover offers, the project of the Société Coopérative de Production (SCOP) was validated.

The Scop proposal was supported by 60% of staff and led by site management.

In a statement the project said: “We are taking our destiny into our own hands and are determined to carry our company, an icon of French industry, in an ambitious transformation project.”

The court had heard of three proposals, including one from the owners of the Waltersperger glass plant in Normandy, France.

The court referred to the SCOP proposal as a 'coherent and serious marketing and commercial project' with 'strong guarantees' , considering that the SCOP appears able to maintain the 'activities of employees under feasible conditions' .

The glassworks in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin (Loiret), a town in the Orléans metropolitan area employs 228 people.

High energy prices and a drop in consumption had led to the company facing closure.