Bull doubles supercomputer capacity at Angers factory

Bull has doubled monthly supercomputer production capacity at its Angers factory to 12 racks from six after an €80 million expansion, as the French state-owned company responds to rising demand and works on two major European systems in parallel. Chief Executive Emmanuel Le Roux said Bull received more orders in 2026 than in any previous year and won 15 of 18 tenders run by EuroHPC, the European body that co-funds supercomputers with member states. The expanded facility gives Bull room to assemble France’s 94-rack Alice Recoque system alongside LUMIAI, a supercomputer for Finland that is the largest contract in the company’s history, according to Bull. Bull said output could reach 24 racks a month next year if demand continues. That is a conditional capacity estimate, not a confirmed production target. The reports describe differing schedules for Alice Recoque: one says the system is due in 2027, while another reports staged arrivals beginning at the end of 2026. The full delivery and operational timeline remains unclear. LUMIAI is valued at about €388 million, with reports giving figures of €387.8 million and €388 million. It is intended for a data center in Kajaani, Finland.