The project is well on track. After a succession of obstacles, including recurrent walkouts since December, construction of the Banque de France's new banknote printing works, under discussion since 2007, will begin by the end of the year, the institution has announced.
"Indeed, the conditions for the implementation of the memorandum of understanding on the measures to accompany the competitiveness plan, signed with all the social partners on July 21, have now been met (end of the strike, return of the entire plant to target operation, setting up of a working group on machine ergonomics)."
After two years of construction work, the new banknote factory will be located in Longues, in the commune of Vic-le-Comte in the Puy-de-Dôme region, near the Banque de France paper mill, and will replace the current printing plant located some twenty kilometers away in Chamalières. Production will start in 2026.
The Chamalières printing works has been in operation since 1917, in buildings dating from the same period. "Despite numerous transformation and modernization campaigns, the site has reached its evolution limits, and the building's current configuration does not appear to be optimal in terms of the activities it hosts and the high safety requirements it must guarantee" explains the Banque de France.
By consolidating the entire banknote production chain in a single location at a cost of 250 million euros, this project will provide the Banque de France with a "state-of-the-art industrial tool a "Europe's most modern, efficient and environmentally-friendly public bill production center (paper mill and printing works)".
