Duralex cooperative project collapses

Less than two years after its launch in 2024, the Duralex cooperative project collapsed. On October 14, 2026, the Orléans commercial court approved the takeover by Cédric Meston, a young entrepreneur specializing in corporate restructuring.

Cédric Meston's takeover plan

Cédric Meston, a former consultant at McKinsey and co-founder of HappyVore, had previously saved Tupperware France. His holding Tomé won the bid with a 16 million euro funding plan: 10 million in private funds, including from Xavier Niel via NJJ Capital, and 6 million in public support.

Job preservation and restructuring

Meston's plan retains 155 out of 219 jobs, or more than 70% of full-time positions, while his competitor Carlesimo proposed only 129. However, 64 job cuts are unavoidable. The restructuring is accompanied by the appointment of Silham El Kasmi, a former executive at Saint-Gobain and Saur, as general director, breaking with the cooperative's horizontal structure.

Financial failure and investigation

The 7 million euros raised by the SCOP was not enough to prevent the collapse. Several factors explain this financial failure: the surge in energy costs in a context of unstable gas prices, the slow decision-making of the cooperative governance, and the lack of investment in the modernization of the ovens, which exacerbated the loss of competitiveness. The Orléans prosecutor is currently investigating possible misconduct by the former management, led by François Marciano. Searches took place on September 3, 2026.

Challenges in the glass industry

The glass industry imposes heavy constraints: massive investments, long cycles, and fierce international competition. The SCOP, by nature, prioritizes employment over profitability, while Duralex required rapid restructuring and difficult decisions. The participatory governance, although socially ideal, hinders strategic adjustments. The five judicial restructurings in twenty years testify to a fragility that the cooperative model could not overcome.

Hybrid financial structure

Meston's plan is based on a hybrid financial structure. Xavier Niel, founder of Free, injects private capital via NJJ Capital, while the State, the Centre-Val de Loire Region, and Orléans Métropole provide 6 million euros in public support. This alliance secures the funding while ensuring a territorial anchoring. The minister in charge of Industry, Sébastien Martin, announces his visit to the factory on October 16, 2026, showing government support. Unlike the SCOP, this structure mobilizes financial levers inaccessible to employees alone.

Green transition and energy savings

Meston aims to make Duralex "the greenest glass in the world." His plan provides for converting the gas oven to 100% electric technology by 2029. This transition aims to drastically reduce CO2 emissions and halve the energy bill, which currently represents 20% of revenue. By responding to the growing demand for low-carbon products, Meston justifies his significant investments.

End of the SCOP experiment

The takeover of Duralex by Cédric Meston ends an eighteen-month cooperative experiment. The SCOP model, despite 7 million raised and public support, could not overcome the economic constraints of the glass industry. The private entrepreneur, supported by Xavier Niel and public authorities, prioritizes a profitability and energy transition logic. It remains to be seen if the 155 jobs preserved will withstand until 2029, a key date for this industrial and ecological bet.