History

1955

Abel Barbier a textile industrialist from Sainte-Sigolène, discovered new method of polyethylene extrusion. He makes a bet that this new technology will start a new era for packaging.

With 2 partners, he creates the Sainte Sigolène Plastic Industry company and installs the first extrusion machine in a garage with 4 employees. A real start up!

1960

The company is a success. The Extrusion of Polyethylene Company A. Barbier & Cie is born: it belongs exclusively to Abel Barbier.

A first plant of 3 000 m2 was inaugurated in Sainte-Sigolène.

1963 – 1965

Barbier Group is growing so fast that it must expand. The Sovuplast factory was built in Firminy.
As for the Sainte Sigolène plant, it must be completely rebuilt after being destroyed by fire.

1970 – 1975

The growth in demand and diversity in applications of polyethylene require the construction of a new 14,000 m2 plant in Sainte-Sigolène: La Guide.

The extrusion of high density polyethylene started in 1975 with the launch of t-shirt bags.
In only a few years, Barbier Group became the French leader in this new industry, particularly by the development of supermarkets.

Thanks to Abel Barbier who introduced this technology to the area, Sainte Sigolène becomes the key region for plastics with nearly 40% of the French production based here.

1980

The two oil crises have greatly increased the cost of the raw material, polyethylene, which is a petroleum derivative. At the same time, the first environmental awareness appears. However the demand for plastic packaging keeps on increasing.

Before anyone Abel Barbier understands the need for recycling polyethylene to avoid shortages, to maintain reasonable costs of raw materials and to protect environment.

He launched the construction of the Sorep plant in Sainte-Sigolène, which is specialized in the regeneration of PE film waste.

1983

Aware of the importance of quality to secure the loyalty of its customers and of innovation to remain the leader of this industry, Barbier Group sets up a laboratory for quality control and R&D.

1985-1986

A second plant is inaugurated at the La Guide plant near Sainte Sigolène. It is dedicated to the manufacture of technical films and Coverpal tube for pallets. At the same time coextrusion process is also introduced.
During this period a subsidiary called Sopil is set up in Grazac, specialised in the manufacture of fruit & vegetable bags in rolls.

Becoming an European leader in its industry, Barbier Group organizes itself to answer its export markets better.

1989 – 1990

The retail activities of Barbier Group are gathered in the ultramodern plants of Chavanon 1 and Chavanon 2, in Monistrol sur Loire.

Coextrusion is now used for large production runs: 3-layer coextrusion is gradually replacing the mono-layer extrusion.

1993 – 1994

The production site Chavanon is once again enlarged with Chavanon III a building dedicated to the manufacture of technical coextruded films.

The following year, the Unit III plant is built specifically for printing high quality films.
Barbier Group acquires Exhafilm, a company in Lavoute-Chilhac, dedicated to mailing films. Until now this is the group’s only external growth operation.

1996

A new department of Chavanon is built in order to meet the growth waste bag sector.

1999

Startup of the manufacturing unit for stretch CAST film (flat process) for the 5 layers wrapping of the pallets and for agricultural stretch film.

2000

This decade also saw the introduction of eco-design products as well as the use of polyethylene of plant origin.

This is a decade of constant modernization of production and storage sites, especially for Chavanon III, Chavanon IV, SOPIL and SOREP. Every year, Barbier Group reinvests on average 8% of its turnover in order to renew its machines. The head office is also enlarged and modernized.

2004-2009

Barbier Group has an hit output of 200 million shopper bags for retail industry.

However 3 months later, demand for these T-shiert bags is brought to a halt due to a new law banning them! Barbier Group has to react and to adapt its production equipment.

The Challenge becomes a success thanks to a reorganization of its activities in other key sectors: in 2009, production meets the 2004 level again!

2012

Barbier Group’s products are the first in the industry “to get the “France Origin Guarantee” certification.

2014

From now on coextruded 3, 5, and soon 7 and 9 layer films, produced by Barbier Group, will represent 85 % of the machinery.

Chavanon V, dedicated to the recycling of waste is planned to open in 2015.

2015

Barbier Group is strengthening its historic commitment to sustainable development with the commissioning of the CHAVANON V. This plant is completely dedicated to the post-consumer polyethylene films recycling.

The 8 000 m² of CHAVANON V wants to be exemplary on environmental issues: eco-designed building, heat recovery, treatment plant totally autonomous for its water needs through rainwater harvesting, etc…

The CHAVANON V allows Barbier Group to take a further step on the circular economy: Barbier Company produces high quality polyethylene films which are used primarily by its customers, then collected and finally redirected to Barbier Group in order to be recycled and reintroduced in new film productions.

With the addition of this new unit, Barbier Group is now able to recycle the used agricultural films, the films from the selective collection of household waste and the industrial films as well. It plays a pioneering role by offering a complete recycling solution to all polyethylene films he produces!

2020

More than 65 years of experience for Barbier Group! A very rich history which brought a small French company to a leading European place in the extrusion of polyethylene and the bringing together of a body of underlying values essential for the future and for the company’s durability: respect for customers and employees, innovation and attachment to its local environment.