Toulouse, September 27, 2025 — Is Empalot Island poised to become a new hub for the chemical industry? In the past year, authorities in Haute-Garonne have authorized two new facilities on the island, already home to the ArianeGroup factory, raising concerns among local residents and environmental groups.
A Shift in Policy After Years of Restriction
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The move marks a reversal of policy following the 2001 AZF disaster, which led to stricter regulations on the site.
- Following the 2001 AZF disaster, the ArianeGroup factory on Empalot Island faced restrictions due to the dangerous materials handled there.
- On September 26, 2025, residents learned of plans to install a PFAS waste treatment unit capable of processing 28 tons of waste.
- The factory remains classified as a Seveso high-threshold site due to the hazardous nature of its operations.
After the devastating AZF disaster in 2001, the French company ArianeGroup, jointly owned by Airbus and Safran, saw its activities on Empalot Island restricted to mitigate potential dangers. Despite these measures, the factory continues to be classified as a Seveso high-threshold site by the French State, a designation reserved for facilities handling significant quantities of hazardous materials.
PFAS Waste Treatment Plans Spark Local Opposition
The dynamic appears to have shifted in recent months. During a site monitoring committee (CSS) meeting on September 26, 2025, members of the Croix-de-Pierre neighborhood committee and the “Never again, neither here nor elsewhere” collective were informed of the planned installation of a PFAS waste treatment unit on the site. The unit is slated to handle 28 tons of waste.
What are PFAS? Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1940s. They are known for their persistence in the environment and potential health risks.
The decision has raised concerns among local residents, who fear the potential environmental and health impacts of processing PFAS waste so close to the city center. The island’s history, marked by the trauma of the AZF explosion, adds to the sensitivity of the situation. The installation of the PFAS unit represents a significant change in the management of the Empalot Island site, prompting questions about the balance between industrial development and public safety.
The Legacy of AZF and Seveso Regulations
The AZF disaster, which occurred on September 21, 2001, resulted in 31 deaths and widespread damage. The incident led to a review of safety regulations at industrial sites across France, resulting in the implementation of stricter controls, particularly for facilities classified as Seveso sites. The Seveso directive, established by the European Union, aims to prevent major accidents involving dangerous substances and limit their consequences for human health and the environment.
Despite the existing Seveso classification, the authorization of new activities on Empalot Island suggests a potential shift in priorities. Local groups are closely monitoring the situation and advocating for greater transparency and public involvement in decision-making processes related to the site’s future.
