Through Writing Caen
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France is the world leader in the production of lin textile. Normandy, the leading producer in terms of volume and quality alone, provides 50% of the world production of quality flax fibers. In this context, the flax cooperative in the north of Caen (Calvados) located in Villons-les-Buissons wishes to deploy its activity in Saint-Manvieu-Norrey. Public consultation is underway, the Saint-Manvieu municipal council will vote on the project on Tuesday, June 29, 2021.
“An ever-growing demand”
“Scutching is the operation which consists in separating the fiber from the straw from the flax”, reminds Léonie Angot-Hastain, mayor of Saint-Manvieu-Norrey. “The Villons-les-Buissons cooperative wishes to set up in Saint-Manvieu-Norrey, on the former Evolution site opposite the SPA, to create two new chains. “
This will allow them to no longer operate in a three-eight system and thus reduce the hardship of employees. It also allows them to meet the ever-growing demand. Flax is a very popular fiber today because it is very ecological, it requires little input of phytosanitary products.
Investments and jobs
The planned building will be almost 6,000 m2, which is roughly double the current one in Villons-les-Buisssons, which will continue to operate. While waiting for the building permit, the cooperative hopes to start work quickly (about a year) for start-up in September 2022.
€ 12 million will be invested by the cooperative to carry out this project. Initially, the hiring of 10 employees is planned.
A need for farmers
“With the shutdown of the Cagny sugar refinery, our farmers need a sector that allows them to ensure the sustainability of their farms,” continues Léonie Angot-Hastain.
“Linseed growers are often beet growers too,” recalls Camille François, Camille François, administrative and financial manager of the North Caen linseed cooperative. “Farmers are therefore very demanding for flax, which is profitable”. But that is difficult to cultivate, depending on the water among other things.
4,350 ha of flax north of Caen
In Villons-les-Buissons where it employs 40 people, the North Caen linen cooperative was created in 1962. An old sector which for several years has observed “an enormous demand for a natural fiber”, summarizes Camille François, the administrative manager and financial. In 2014, the coop had 150 members for 1,700 ha. In 2020, there are 250 members for 4,350 ha.
Less production in 2021
But, the sector reduced sowing (the seed) by 30% in 2021. The reason: “the Covid in 2020 stopped production and created large stocks of straw”, reveals Camille François. “In order not to collapse the market, we had to reduce production this year. “
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“It is also planned to develop the cultivation of hemp as a textile fiber”, rebounds Léonie Angot-Hastain. “At the new site in Saint-Manvieu, they will also be scutching organic linen because they have a partnership with the Évrecy spinning mill: LINportant, which makes organic linen clothing. “
Planned road improvements
In addition, farmers in the area will no longer need to go to Villons-les-Buissons to bring their flax. “Farmers store flax and transport it on demand throughout the year. Road traffic on the departmental road will therefore be reduced and moderate. On the other hand, the departmental council has planned to redo the departmental 147 which leads from Saint-Manvieu-Norrey to Verson, and to transform it into a shared road during 2021-2022. The exit of tractors and trucks and their insertion in traffic will be facilitated. “
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