In pictures. “It’s sad to see that, but it is also the future”: part of the old Stellantis factory of Sochaux almost demolished

Since April 3, 2024, the “PSA Sud” site in Sochaux in the Doubs is being demolished. 42 hectares on which the car production channels were running at full tube in the 80s changed their hands and activities. We explain to you.

Most of the day: our exclusive selection

Every day, our editorial team reserves the best regional news for you. A selection just for you, to stay in touch with your regions.

France Télévisions uses your email address to send you the newsletter “The essentials of the day: our exclusive selection”. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Our privacy policy

Converting buildings that have become useless to avoid having an industrial wasteland here. The “Sochaux 2022” project, led by Stellantis, has changed the production site of the historic Peugeot factory in Mono-Flux, now with a single line of assembly of cars. This compaction of the site made it possible to release 42 hectares in the municipalities of Sochaux and Exincourt. Country of Montbéliard Agglomeration became the owner in January 2022.

42 hectares of land sold by Stellantis • © Antoine Laroche

A gigantic site

Three buildings will be completely demolished at the end of this vast project. Buildings S88, S90, former assembly lines on two floors with a footprint of 120,000 m² and the smaller building S68. A total of 150,000 m² of the historic Sochaux factory will disappear.

150,000 m² of building demolished on the PSA Sud site in Sochaux • © Rémi Poirot – France Télévisions

In one month, between 1,500 and 2,000 tonnes of rubble were removed • © Rémi Poirot – France Télévisions

The ballet of machines has been going on for 10 months. The Martens Democom group’s main activity is the demolition, decontamination and earthmoving of industrial sites. Romain Guillermin, head of the French agency, takes stock of this project which is coming to an end. According to him, there are only 15% of buildings left to demolish to make the site clean.

Sorting is meticulous and managed by specific operators • © Rémi Poirot – France Télévisions

At the end of the project, all materials combined, we will have removed around 15,000 to 16,000 tonnes of rubble.

Romain Guillermin, manager of the France Martens Democom agency

A new operator for the site

After buying the premises at the agglomeration, the Castignac company is the new owner of the site. It has positioned itself to rebuild surfaces adapted to new activities and today’s environmental criteria. Working methods change, the buildings too. Exit Stellantis therefore and welcome soon to new businesses.

The project will be two buildings, a logistics warehouse of 60,000 m² and a small email building of around 6,000 m² for rather in tense flow logistics.

Robin Lhuilley, project manager at the Castignac company

The messaging building being a storage center between companies. The new buildings will meet the current needs of logisticians and industrialists. A page turns for former employees.

A know-how that is leaving to make way for another activity other than Stellantis • © Rémi Poirot – France Télévisions

André Graber has been retired for 17 years. He worked at the PSA factory from 1969 to 2007. He observes the latest demolitions with interest, but also with a pang in his heart.

I have known these living buildings, it’s impressive. I knew the factory with 42,000 people. It was an anthill. I really had a good time. It’s sad to see that but it’s also the future.

André Graber, former PSA employee

Demolition must continue at least until March 2025. The start of new construction is not planned before the end of 2026.

With Hugo Flotat-Talon and Rémi Poirot

Every day, receive news from your region by newsletter.

Ignore

Every day, receive news from your region by newsletter.

France Télévisions uses your email address to send you the newsletter for your region. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of these newsletters. Our Privacy Policy

Go to Source