Cimaj is planning to set up a densified wood production plant in the Cap d'Arbon business park in Estadens, near Saint-Gaudens. The project involves transforming wood residues, such as sawdust and shavings, into compacted logs. However, despite its innovative and ecological aspects, the initiative is meeting with fierce opposition from local residents and the 'Cagire sans usine!
The Cimaj project has raised serious concerns for the local environment. Opponents fear that the plant will degrade the living environment, damaging local ecosystems and increasing pollution. It was against this backdrop that the 'Cagire sans usine!' collective was formed, bringing together local residents determined to preserve their region. On February 26, 2025, around a hundred people gathered to demonstrate against the construction, uniting their voices to halt a project already deemed irreversible.
During the demonstration, many speakers took the floor to express their sense of powerlessness and their determination to make their opposition heard. Banners with incisive slogans such as "No to the factory" adorned the procession, underlining the scale of the protest. Despite differences of opinion with the project's promoters, the local population seems unwilling to bend in the face of what they see as a direct threat to their well-being.
The region's tourism development is also at the heart of concerns linked to the construction of the plant. Over the past decade, the area around Cagire has seen its appeal grow thanks to its natural landscapes and outdoor leisure activities. Opponents of the project fear that the operation of such an industrial facility could tarnish this idyllic image, driving potential visitors to seek out less polluting, more unspoilt destinations.
Faced with this dilemma between economic development and environmental preservation, the 'Cagire sans usine ! Its strategy includes organizing awareness-raising actions and encouraging active participation in local mobilizations. Members of the collective insist on the need to preserve the environmental and economic integrity of their land.
The battle promises to be long and arduous, but the collective seems determined to defend its convictions. While Cimaj emphasizes the environmental benefits of its project, the opposition stresses the negative impacts which, in their view, cannot be ignored. This debate, far from over, continues to underline the complexity of the issues involved in industrial projects in rural areas, and the importance of understanding them in the context of local stakeholders.
