After over a year in receivership, French hydrogen mobility startup Hopium has received court approval for its recovery plan, officially pivoting from luxury hydrogen cars to supplying modular fuel cells for heavy-duty sectors. This decisive shift abandons the failed Machina sedan project, with the company now focusing on 100–400kW fuel cell systems for applications in trucking, maritime, and aerospace.

With a reduced team and cost structure, Hopium plans for full market re-entry by 2028, estimating €30 million in fresh funding needs. The company aims for its upcoming 100kW and 200kW stacks to be significantly smaller and lighter than competitors, a key differentiator for mobility. This strategic refocus aligns Hopium with industrial demand, prioritizing hydrogen tech for emission-intensive industries and reinforcing France's domestic hydrogen development.

Source: https://fuelcellsworks.com/2025/03/26/fuel-cells/hopium-clears-bankruptcy-shifts-gears-from-luxury-hydrogen-cars-to-fuel-cell-systems-for-heavy-transport

---

​

Technicolor Creative Studios UK is set to file for administration, while several French subsidiaries face receivership, amid severe financial strain. The iconic VFX firm, known for work on Harry Potter, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Mission Impossible, cites post-COVID struggles, costly corporate separation, and the Hollywood writers’ strike as causes. U.S. offices of The Mill, MPC Advertising, and Mikros Animation are shutting down, with over 10,000 global jobs potentially affected. Despite recent award nominations and high-profile projects, the company failed to secure new investment or a buyer. Operations in France may continue under receivership, pending acquisition plans. 

This marks another blow after years of restructuring, a 2020 bankruptcy filing, and the 2021 sale of Technicolor Post to Streamland Media. Interim CEO Caroline Parot was appointed in 2023 as the company attempted yet another relaunch of its creative brands.

Full article here

---

​

The Guardian reports that nearly 20 English councils face potential insolvency due to soaring costs for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) support, with total deficits projected to reach £5.2 billion within a year. This overspending, currently £3.4 billion, stems from rising demand for Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs) and insufficient state school capacity, forcing councils to use expensive private alternatives.

A temporary government accounting measure, the "statutory override," has temporarily concealed these debts, but its expiration in March 2026 threatens to push many councils into bankruptcy. This could, in turn, lead to drastic cuts in local services. Experts warn that as many as 75 councils might be at risk. The government has acknowledged the crisis with the failing system and states that reforming SEND is a major priority to ensure every child receives a quality education. The situation highlights the urgent need for systemic change to address both financial pressures on councils and the growing needs of SEND students.

Read the full article here

---

​

French firearms manufacturer Verney-Carron, owned by CYBERGUN, has declared bankruptcy due to a complete freeze of its finances, halting production and salary payments. The company carries a debt of €1 million despite a €12 million investment from its parent company. A court hearing to confirm insolvency is expected on February 12, 2025, as the company seeks a new shareholder.

In 2023, Verney-Carron signed a €36 million deal with Ukraine for 12,000 assault rifles and 600 grenade launchers, with initial deliveries expected in early 2024. However, it is unclear if the contract was fulfilled due to the company's financial problems and delivery delays that began in 2021.

Subsequent to this original article - as published here in ici - formerly FrenchBleu (in French) the Saint-Etienne Commercial Court confirmed the placement in receivership of the arms manufacturer Verney-Carron on February 12 2025.

Read the original article at Militarnyi

---

​