The French Metal Construction Union (SCMF) presents its annual economic update

Economic update on metal construction in France

Indeed, French metal construction is in excellent health with new growth for a sector turnover established at more than 4 billion euros (including 5 to 10% from exports) for some 790.000 tonnes implemented (vs 767.143 in 2023), representing a tonnage increase of + 3%. While 2024 was a year with positive dynamics, Emmanuel de Laage is weighing things up and approaches 2025 with caution, describing this 2025 financial year as a turnaround. Emmanuel de Laage clarified: "Industrial investments are on hold, confidence is no longer there. In addition, the sector lacks visibility, especially since 2026 will be a year of (municipal) elections and it is customary for the years preceding these elections to be marked by a halt in projects."

Metal construction activity by type of work 2024

The metal construction markets cover various types of structures. At the forefront of the sector's outlets, industrial buildings represent more than 60% of the activity. Other structures, such as shade structures and photovoltaic power plant supports, represent a strong dynamic with more than 12% of business. Very closely followed by agricultural buildings, silos and hoppers at 11,95%, then other buildings (commercial, sports and social buildings, educational establishments, hospitals and healthcare establishments, housing) at 7,03%, civil engineering structures (bridges, footbridges) at 6,09% and, finally, pylons (1,88%).

Monthly evolution of the tonnage of orders received – December 2022 to December 2024

The overall tonnage of orders received in 2024 increases by +5% compared to 2023. From the beginning of 2023 to the end of 2024, the linear trend curve represents a "false flat", a sign of a constant positive evolution.

Evolution of tonnage implemented in France between 2014 and 2024

The average annual growth rate increases by +1,8% between 2014 and 2024 and by +2,5% between 2020 and 2024. The tonnage implemented in France is estimated at +3% in 2024, for a sectoral turnover of 4 billion euros.

Productivity (tonnage per person)

Productivity will increase by 1,44% between 2022 and 2023, after a decrease of -2,4% between 2021 and 2022, thanks in particular to the continuous streamlining of processes and the improvement in efficiency, enabling the acceptance of an increasing number of projects.

Building permit for non-residential premises

(in thousands of m², Source: Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion)

In 2024, the non-residential premises permits registered amount to 37,6 million m² and remain stable compared to the previous year. During the same year, with 20 million m², construction start records are down (-10,6%) compared to 2023.

Source: SDES, Sit@del2, floor area, Ministries Territories Ecology Housing

Metal construction workforce in France

The workforce in the French metal construction sector is showing little change. It should be noted that in 2023, the permanent workforce will increase by 1,54%, while the total workforce (including temporary workers) will increase by 1,04%. While the number of temporary workers will decrease by -7,51% at the end of 2023 compared to the end of 2022, other employment categories, on the other hand, will show an increase. For example, the category of construction workers will increase by 3,43% and that of workshop workers by 1,77%. As for managers and ETAMs, the increase will be more measured, at +0%.

The SCMF will soon launch its 1^er strategic project for 2025/2028: “France Métallique”

As part of a desire to strengthen and modernize the metal construction sector in France and Europe, the SCMF announces the launch, next June, of its 1^er strategic project called “France Métallique”. A pragmatic and proactive approach aimed at transforming current challenges into opportunities, while preserving France’s industrial heritage in metal construction, this strategic project has multiple objectives.

While it will promote the sector, it will also strengthen sectoral competitiveness, support the ecological transition, and develop skills, without forgetting to strengthen the levers of innovation and digitalization. Join us in Strasbourg on June 20th at the SCMF Annual Congress to discover "France Métallique" in detail.

Highlighting references in low-carbon metal construction from SCMF members

WALTEFAUGLE: 4 low-carbon steel office projects

Didier Cannac, Managing Director, presents 4 projects for orders for low-carbon steel offices, which will be installed between January and April 2025. Indicating that Waltefaugle is already fully engaged in decarbonization, he specifies that "Demand continues to increase as soon as the Thermal Engineering Departments and customers realize that it is feasible, simply and immediately. The additional cost is very low. We have gone from €150/ton of CO₂ earned at €50/ton and this amount is expected to fall further. In addition, steel retains all of its qualities of strength, lightness, recyclability and scalability. To meet demand, Waltefaugle has acquired its own stock of more than 300 tons of decarbonized steel and our objective is to at least double it by the end of 2025.

Waltefaugle was commissioned to carry out, for Vinci Energie with Novelige, 700 m² of offices in Aube. This reference, made of low-carbon steel, generates a saving of 39 tons of CO₂ (i.e. – 35%).

The second project was contracted for Sumika with Novelige in Saint-Martin-de-Crau in Bouches du Rhône, for the construction of 340 m² of offices having generated a saving of 17 T of CO₂ or (-38%).

His third reference concerns the construction of 800 m²office space for Argan in Vendin-le-Vieil in the Nord Pas-de-Calais region. A project that was completed at the beginning of February, which was the source of 30 tonnes of CO₂ saved (39% gain).

Finally, its fourth reference is the achievement of 350 m² offices for the SNCF (with Ramery, in the Somme), where again Waltefaugle exploited low-carbon steels synonymous with 21 tonnes of CO₂ saved (42%).

Architects of the new buildings:

• Dawn: Workshops 4+
• Bouches du Rhône: Workshops 4+ Marseille
• North Pas-de-Calais: A.26-GL
• Sum: Foreword Architects
• Number of companions on construction sites:
  • Dawn: 5
  • Bouches du Rhône: 5
  • North Pas-de-Calais: 7
  • Amount: 5

Briand Métal: the relevant reuse of an industrial metal frame for a new industrial hall

Emmanuel Morisot, Environment-Innovation Director at Briand Métal, indicates that the significant business flow generated by BRIAND Métal made it possible to quickly identify a relevant project to maximize the use of reused steel, by slightly adjusting the design of a new site to avoid potential oversizing. Indeed, during the deconstruction of an industrial hall (maintenance workshop for Nantes public transport), BRIAND Métal intervened to prevent a steel frame dating from 2001 from joining a stockpile of scrap metal for possible recycling. This deposit of 45 tons of steel constitutes a source of "zero carbon" material. It has the same quality as a new frame because steel has the unique ability to retain its mechanical properties over time. Briand Métal engineers were thus able to reintegrate more than 43 tonnes from this deposit into a larger industrial hall project near Cholet (49), weighing a total of 250 tonnes, thus reducing the carbon emissions of this new hybrid structure, at no additional cost to the project owner. This process scrupulously followed the professional rules established since 2024 by the CTICM, now coupled with full insurability. The reuse of the profiles required them to be resized to integrate them into the design of the new structure: cutting off the ends and creating end plates.

The particularity of this operation was the ability to offer reused steel at the price of new steel, which is not always possible, especially during periods of low primary steel prices. From an environmental perspective, this reuse made it possible to reduce emissions and pollution from potential recycling (transport over hundreds or even thousands of kilometers, more or less carbon-intensive electrical energy for remelting, waste production and water consumption linked to the process, etc.). From an economic perspective, the seller of the deposit was able to differentiate itself from its demolition competitors, and the project owner, who collected the framework in its new building, was able to have a largely decarbonized framework, at a constant cost, also meeting one of the circularity criteria necessary for the alignment of this investment with the European Green Taxonomy.

• Architect of the new building: Arcade and DGA.
• Number of workers on site: dismantling by 4 people for 2 weeks.
• Number of manufacturing hours: 200 hours.

Kapeci, Metalpe Group: low-carbon steel for the construction of an industrial building and a silo parking lot

The first project by Kapeci from the Metalpe group is an industrial building combining performance and sustainability in the Rhône department. Combining the headquarters of Cumfin SA and the activity building of RAMS (Rhône Alpes Moteurs Service), this project, by Stone architects, used low-carbon steel for the construction of the metal frame (contract of 550 KE) in order to significantly reduce its ecological footprint. With a surface area of ​​2.500 m², it includes offices (900 m² on R+2) and a 1.600 m workshop²The tonnage of the framework used is 150 tonnes for the workshop and 60 for the office section, all with Xcarb steel.^®, 100% recycled and made with a significant proportion of solar and wind energy. It should be noted that to further this eco-responsible approach, part of the facades was built with a wooden frame (FOB) while the other part is clad with Equitone panels (guaranteeing thermal and aesthetic performance).

• Number of workers on site: 4 to 5 people.
• Number of manufacturing hours: 1800 hours.

The second project presented by Kapeci is an eco-responsible multi-storey car park with 74 spaces in the commune of Bourg-en-Bresse (01). This car park is spread over two levels, extending over an area of ​​16 metres wide and 50 metres long. It is equipped with an 80-tonne metal frame, 50% of which is made of XCarb steel.^®A mix of steel at the source of a considerable reduction in the environmental footprint of the project without compromising its strength and durability.

• Architect of the new building: Bel Air Architectures
• Number of workers on site: 4 employees
• Number of manufacturing hours: 520 hours.