The Wizpaper paper mill, located in Wizernes and established in 2018, today filed a request for judicial reorganization proceedings before the Lille Métropole Commercial Court. The group’s holding company, BE PAPER, is concurrently seeking a judicial safeguard procedure. A team from Cornet Vincent Ségurel assisted the Be Paper group and its subsidiary throughout this strategic procedure, aimed at preserving the company’s activity and the jobs of its 142 employees.
This decision comes within a particularly difficult economic environment for the paper industry sector. Founded in 2018, Wizpaper is part of a local industrial tradition while developing innovative and environmentally friendly processes. Since its inception, the industrial project has been part of a circular economy approach, utilizing waste paper as raw material to manufacture paper intended for corrugated cardboard packaging.
For several months, the company has suffered the combined effects of inflation, the historical surge in energy costs—gas and electricity—following the war in Ukraine, as well as a marked slowdown in the paper market. In August 2025, the company also faced a historic RTE power outage, leading to a complete halt in production.
These difficulties severely weakened the company’s financial situation despite the modernization and competitiveness efforts undertaken since its creation. The company benefits from an efficient site and a dedicated team, but numerous external factors have challenged this model.
The filing for judicial reorganization aims to preserve activity and employment by allowing time for a potential buyer to take over the struggling business. This strategic decision also serves to protect the group’s other companies, which specialize in cardboard processing and benefit from strong business activity. This strategic decision should allow efforts to be focused on finding viable solutions for the future of Wizpaper, while ensuring the stability of the entire group.
The group’s management remains committed and is working in close collaboration with the competent authorities, social partners, and local stakeholders to find the best prospects for the future of the company and its employees.
“Our priority is to maintain activity, protect our teams, and preserve the stability of the group. We will do everything possible to ensure the long-term viability of the paper mill,” declares Henri Breban, President of the Be Paper group.
A multidisciplinary team from the Cornet Vincent Ségurel law firm, led by Thomas Deschryver, partner lawyer, assisted the Be Paper group and Wizpaper throughout this process.
Intervening Parties
- Be Paper: Henri Breban (President), Perrine Breban, Edouard Breban
- Be Paper Lawyers: Cornet Vincent Ségurel (Thomas Deschryver, Stéphanie Forest, Raphaëlle De Metz, Mélanie Gabreau)
- Be Paper Financial Advisor: Grant Thornton (Gaétan Piens, Romain Bonlieu)
Photo/Wizpaper
RELATED NEWS
