French authorities are currently considering other offers for the Hayange rail mill of the former British Steel group. This comes as China’s Jingye confirmed the acquisition of British Steel assets located in the UK and Netherlands, but not in France, Kallanish notes.
In a televised interview, French economy minister Bruno Le Maire confirmed that local authorities are considering four existing bids for the mill, of which three are considered very serious. He also noted that the acquisition of the former British Steel group was done without the French unit, indicating therefore that the mill’s inclusion in the sale to Jingye remains unlikely.
“Hayange produces rail for the local national railway system; it is therefore strategic,” Le Maire said. “The company is very solid and I am not worried for the workers at the plant. We are working to secure that a new owner is found under the best possible conditions.”