Discover the history of the Givors industrial site from 1839 to the present day!
Located in the heart of the Rhône Valley, the Givors site is much more than a high-performing industrial facility: it is a witness to nearly two centuries of economic and industrial history.
Its story began in 1839, when industrialist Eustache Prénat acquired the land to establish a foundry, creating the company Genissieu & Prénat and the Givors blast furnaces. At that time, the site played an active role in the industrial development of the region. By 1910, its three blast furnaces were each producing up to 50 tons of pig iron per day, making Givors a major player in the French metallurgical industry.
The site's influence extended beyond industry alone. In 1860, the famous statue of Notre-Dame de France in Le Puy-en-Velay, cast at the Givors foundry, was inaugurated. At the time, it was considered the tallest statue in the world, showcasing the expertise and technical excellence that already characterized the site.
A new chapter began in 1938 with the creation of the Givors oil port. Thanks to its strategic location on the Rhône River, the site gradually became a key logistics platform for the supply and transportation of petroleum products.
Following World War II, the site was rebuilt and modernized after sustaining heavy bombing during the conflict. This reconstruction resulted in facilities that were exceptionally modern for their time and laid the foundations for future development.
In 1973, the site underwent another transformation with the launch of specialty hydrocarbon and petroleum additive blending activities. This marked the beginning of the expertise that today underpins TEAFS’s reputation in high-performance additives and specialty fuels.
In 2005, Total Additifs & Carburants Spéciaux (Total ACS), the predecessor of today’s TEAFS, was established. This major milestone enabled the company to structure and expand its specialized activities serving the energy, industrial, and motorsport markets.
The site continued its modernization with the construction of the Fuel Production Unit (UPC), whose development began in 2008 to meet growing market demand and strengthen Givors’ industrial capabilities.
This expertise also gained recognition at the highest level of motorsport. In 2010, fuels developed with the support of the Givors teams contributed to Red Bull Racing’s first Formula 1 World Championship title.
In 2021, as part of the TotalEnergies transformation, Total ACS became TotalEnergies Additives and Fuels Solutions (TEAFS). This new identity reflects the company’s ambition to support the energy transition through innovative, high-performance, and increasingly responsible solutions.
Today, the Givors site covers 8 hectares and boasts significant industrial capabilities, including two production units, 150 storage tanks, 35 loading bays, and dedicated customs areas. Classified as a Seveso Upper-Tier site, it operates according to the highest standards of safety, quality, and environmental protection.
From 19th-century metallurgy to the technical solutions now deployed in more than 80 countries, the Givors site has continually reinvented itself to meet industrial and technological changes.
This capacity to adapt, combined with strong local roots and the commitment of its employees, forms one of the cornerstones of TEAFS’s identity.
Nearly two centuries after its beginnings, the site continues to write its history by combining industrial heritage, innovation, and operational excellence in support of tomorrow’s energy challenges.
