“The risks are very minimized”, but “it’s always risky”, admits the general director of the Scop

The glassworks is launching a crowdfunding campaign on Monday, hoping to raise five million euros.

The Duralex company, taken over more than a year ago by its employees, opens crowdfunding to the French on Monday, November 3 to relaunch the activity of the glassworks in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin (Loiret). The glassworks wants to collect five million euros by offering the French to invest in its capital. “The risks are still very minimized”more “it’s always risky”explains Monday on franceinfo François Marciano, general manager of Duralex Scop SA.

Each investor can subscribe between 100 euros and 5 million euros, with a tax advantage of 18% in the first year. “You are paid 8% per year for seven years and, after seven years, you recover the capital”specifies François Marciano. Duralex goes through the Lita.co websitea platform specializing in citizen investment for ecological or social businesses.

The funds will allow the company to invest in new molds and launch new ranges. “We are going to release new collections. There hasn’t been a new collection since 1997 at Duralex”he adds.

However, the investment remains risky. “It’s a risky investment. The risk is that if the company fails to achieve its objectives, (that) no one buys glasses anymore, the company closes, and you lose the money you invested”recognizes the manager, while ensuring that “the risks are very minimized”.

Unable to wait for bank loans which could only be released after validation of the end-of-year balance sheet, in the summer of 2026, Duralex says it wants to continue its recovery. “Today, the company is doing well. Duralex is progressing well. Duralex will be doing well in a year and a half, until we have passed the 35 million mark. In a company the size of Duralex, as long as you have not reached a certain threshold, the company is not profitable”explains François Marciano. He estimates that turnover should reach 30 million euros this year: “So five million are missing. The first year, we woke up Duralex. This second year, we have to transform Duralex.”

The subscription campaign is open until November 15 and may be extended until December 15 if the ceiling of 5 million euros is not reached.