The folder is less advanced than that of SME

Named end of 2008 at the head of SNPE, Antoine Gendry comes from completing the assignment of Isochem, civil chemistry branch of the national powders and explosives ex-Société, in German Aurelius. The sale to Safran SNPE material energy, which produces a portion of the fuel of nuclear missiles and rockets Ariane, should follow this year. "The sooner the better", explains the CEO to "echoes". Will then be to find a solution for Eurenco (powders and explosives) and Bergerac NC (nitrocellulose), to complete the dismantling of the group.

You just complete the sale of Isochem, SNPE fine chemistry industry, the German Fund Aurelius. Trade unions have denounced the risk of relocation. That their answer you

First that Aurelius is not a Fund, but a very serious industrial investment company, as are Wendel or the Institute of industrial development, and is not used to relocate en masse. Opposition to Aurelius actually cache a hostility to any privatization. The purchasers have announced their intention to retain the company with its development plan and its industrial tool. After having lost a lot of money, on a very competitive business, Isochem is in a situation of gradual improvement in its results. Therefore, I am not worried.

When do you conclude the project for the sale of the activities of solid propulsion SAFRAN

In the coming months. Discussions are progressing without particular difficulty, even if the case is complicated by environmental liabilities. The condition of the premises was very detailed and provided to Safran manner. We must now stop the mechanism of the guarantee of these liabilities based on assumptions of the occurrence. Our intention is not to provide a guarantee to 100. It will require that the buyer provides a part. But I note there part and a great willingness to lead. The sooner the better.

The future of Eurenco part always a European project of consolidation in the sector of powders and explosives with Nitrochemie, the subsidiary of the German Rheinmetall

Eurenco future passes first through a programme of investment in the plant of Sorgues (Vaucluse), of the order of EUR 65 million, intended to remake a part of the site. This investment, which responds to a request of the State and for which we expect that he is involved significantly, should be decided in the coming weeks. Further, we are actually discussions with partners to whom we sell our majority stake in Eurenco (60, Editor's note) in exchange for a minority percentage in a wider range. We then assign our participation across thus constituted French Nexter.

When this operation may be concluded

This year, rather the next year. The folder is less advanced than that of SME.

By contrast, the assignment of Bergerac NC seems to more problematic...

The nitrocellulose market is highly competitive, with actors in Asia or the Brazil, even though the situation may vary from one product to another segment. Bergerac NC, which has about 20 of the market in the world, was released in France a gross operating surplus negative of EUR 6 million in 2009, for a turnover of 50 million. This is not tenable.

I've always said in the case of this company that there were two solutions: either found a partner, or cease activity. We are working on the first track and current negotiations with the German company Wolff, Dow Chemical, Editor's note. We will announce this year that will be.

Will end of 2011, SNPE exist therefore more

End of 2011, it will remain a society, which will be more industrial activity, but which, I hope, will not leave no debt to the State.