Following the preliminary consultation held from May 5 to July 5, 2025, and the publication of the project owners’ report, Axens and RTE (Réseau de Transport d’Électricité – the French Transmission System Operator) have entered into a continuous consultation process to share project-related information with stakeholders and residents of the municipalities concerned within the Valenciennes Métropole and Portes du Hainaut urban communities.
The continuous consultation mechanism implemented by Axens aims to maintain a transparent and constructive dialogue around the project with residents of the municipalities concerned within the Valenciennes Métropole and Portes du Hainaut communities. This is achieved through the reopening of the participatory pages on the consultation website (www.concertation-macaron.fr). The process will make it possible to share and publicly release the results of the various studies and includes the creation of a project monitoring committee composed of stakeholders who expressed particular interest in the project during the preliminary consultation phase.
The National Commission for Public Debate has appointed Ms. Catherine JACQUART as the guarantor of the continuous consultation.
The first meeting of the monitoring committee was held on December 16 at the Valenciennes Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It made it possible to present the continuous consultation mechanism as well as several project updates resulting from progress in ongoing studies. The site footprint and layout were further detailed. Technical parameters were also refined: the plant’s production capacity is now estimated at 39–43 kt/year, and information related to water consumption as well as the selected cooling system was presented.
A public meeting will be held in the first days of April, to which all residents and stakeholders of the territory interested in the MACARON project are invited. It will provide an opportunity to present the changes made to the project since the preliminary consultation and the results of the various studies conducted as part of the preparatory work for submitting the Environmental Authorization Application (DDAE).
For its part, RTE is organizing, under the authority of the Deputy Prefect of Valenciennes, a local consultation session at the end of January in order to validate the route with the lowest impact—i.e., the location of the future underground electrical transmission line.
Find all information and participation details on the consultation website: concertation-macaron.fr
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ABOUT THE PROJECT OWNERS
AXENS
The Axens Group (https://www.axens.net/) offers a complete range of solutions for the conversion of oil and biomass into cleaner fuels, the production and purification of major petrochemical intermediates, the chemical recycling of plastics, natural gas treatment and conversion options, water treatment and carbon capture. Their offer includes technologies, equipment, furnaces, modular units, catalysts, adsorbents and related services. Axens is ideally positioned to cover the entire value chain, from feasibility studies to start-up and monitoring of units throughout their lifecycle. This unique position guarantees optimum performance and a reduced environmental footprint. Axens' international offering is based on highly qualified human resources, modern production facilities and an extensive global network for industrial, technical support and sales services. Axens is an IFP Energies Nouvelles Group company.
To find out more, visit our website, and follow us on LinkedIn.
Contact press: press@axens.net
RTE
RTE, the operator of the French electricity transmission network, carries out a public service mission: ensuring electricity supply at all times and with consistent quality of service across the national territory, thanks to the commitment of its 10,025 employees. RTE manages electricity flows in real time and maintains the balance between production and consumption.
RTE maintains and develops the high-voltage and extra high voltage network (from 63,000 to 400,000 volts), which includes nearly 100,000 kilometers of overhead lines, 7,000 kilometers of underground cables, 2,900 substations operated or co operated, and around fifty cross-border interconnections. The French network, the largest in Europe, has 37 interconnections with neighboring countries.
As a neutral and independent industrial operator of the energy transition, RTE optimizes and transforms its network to connect new electricity uses and low carbon generation facilities, regardless of future energy choices.
PRESS CONTACTS
About Axens:
Franck Frefield-Beilborn – franck.frefield-beilborn@axensgroup.com
About RTE:
Julie Hauspie - julie.hauspie@rte-france.com - 06.07.05.79.75
About the ongoing consultation:
Etienne Juin - e.juin@2concert.fr - 06.10.66.30.87