Swiss Steel Holding AG (SWX:STLN) on March 27, 2024 said its French unit Ascometal S.A. ended exclusive talks announced in December over the sale of several of its sites in France to Italian steelmaker Acciaierie Venete s.p.a. Since the sale of the assets failed, Ascometal's management has decided to seek court protection for the different companies put out for sale to allow more time to find a buyer, the statement said. Ascometal intends to sell its plants of Hagondange in Moselle, Custines in the Loire area, and the activities and workforce of CREAS, Ascometal's research centre.