Future of U-Shin plant in Nevers

Question for written answer  E-001448/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Emmanuel Maurel (The Left)

Next Generation EU and its budgetary commitments for growth, competitiveness and social and territorial cohesion reflect an intention to promote strategic autonomy, the green transition and a balanced development that is beneficial to all Europeans.

In view of this, I would like to express my grave concern about what is happening at a manufacturing plant in Nevers (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté) run by U-Shin, a manufacturer of automotive access mechanisms and steering column locks. U-Shin’s parent company intends to cut 220 of the 410 jobs at the plant by December 2022.

The resulting skills drain and economic decline will push Bourgogne-Franche-Comté – the region with the second lowest GDP per capita in Metropolitan France – even further from the national average.

How does the Commission intend to support initiatives to consolidate skills and jobs, such as that put forward by the trade unions aimed at:

• 1.diversifying markets for U-Shin’s zamak parts business, since this alloy is among the most robust, the most sought-after and the least polluting in terms of greenhouse gases?
• 2.reorienting the Nevers plant towards the manufacture of aluminium parts, given that the carbon border adjustment mechanism will discourage imports from third countries?