FORNAX Project

Selected under France 2030, Pam Building takes a decisive step towards decarbonised cast iron production at its Bayard‑sur‑Marne site

Pam Building, Europe's leading provider of cast iron sanitary and rainwater drainage solutions for buildings, is entering the execution phase of its cast iron process electrification project.

This project marks a major technological breakthrough in the company's production process and accelerates the transition towards a more sustainable and circular cast iron industry. It represents a total investment of approximately €15.5 million, backed by its investors Aldebaran and Bpifrance. Selected under the "Decarbonisation of Industry – DECARB IND" call for projects, as part of the France 2030 investment plan, the project has also received €5.5 million in funding from the French State through France 2030, operated by ADEME.

► Watch the FORNAX film See the project's presentation video on YouTube

Sharply reducing the site's carbon footprint

Named FORNAX, this industrial transformation project takes its name from the Latin word "fornax", meaning furnace. It also refers to the Roman goddess of fire — a choice that roots the melting process electrification project in the age-old heritage of heat and the transformation of matter.

The works will consist of replacing the current hot-blast cupola furnace with two electric induction furnaces for melting and one holding furnace.

Thanks to the electrification of the melting process, Pam Building will cut CO₂ emissions across the entire Bayard-sur-Marne site by around 60%, and by up to 85% within the cast iron production scope (ADEME commitment – compared to the 2017 reference year). These works are now becoming a reality with the ordering of the furnaces; installation will begin during 2027.

A decarbonisation trajectory underway for over 10 years

Established for more than five centuries within the industrial fabric of the Grand Est region, Pam Building has chosen to pursue its energy transition where it has always built its expertise: in Bayard-sur-Marne, at the heart of Haute-Marne, a territory of metallurgical tradition and industrial excellence.

For several years, Pam Building has pursued a proactive policy to reduce its environmental footprint (water management, raw materials sourced 99% from recycling, lightweight cast iron solutions, and more). Between 2017 and 2024, the company has already reduced its CO₂ emissions by 23%. The FORNAX project is one of the pillars of its roadmap and will directly contribute to the company's target of cutting its group-level CO₂ emissions by 80% by 2030 compared to 2017 (including the fittings manufacturing plant based in Telford, England).

"Cast iron is a durable, fully recyclable material at the heart of Pam Building's historic expertise. By decarbonising our manufacturing process, we are going even further in our environmental commitments and strengthening our position as a leader. With the FORNAX project, we are taking a new step in process innovation and energy transition through the electrification of our melting process. This project demonstrates that French industrial excellence knows how to reinvent itself without relocating, in order to build a leaner, more competitive production model for the long term. The confidence of our investors and the support of the State through France 2030 are a strong guarantee for the future of our site and our teams in Bayard-sur-Marne — industrial sovereignty preserved while modernising strategic expertise in our region." Eric Escalettes, CEO of Pam Building