LG Energy Solution and Derichebourg have announced the formation of a joint venture aimed at establishing a cutting-edge battery recycling facility in France. The collaboration will see the construction of the plant commence in 2026 in Bruyères-sur-Oise, located in the Val-d’Oise region of northern France, with operational activities expected to begin in 2027.
This joint venture marks LG Energy Solution’s inaugural battery recycling partnership within Europe. The facility is designed to handle over 20,000 tons of battery materials annually at full capacity. It will focus on the pre-processing stages, including discharging, dismantling, and shredding battery scrap generated during battery manufacturing, as well as the collection of end-of-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The black mass produced from these processes will undergo further post-processing to extract essential raw materials such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt, which will be reintegrated into LG Energy Solution’s battery production.
Under the terms of the agreement, LG Energy Solution will provide battery scrap from its facility in Poland, while Derichebourg will supply end-of-life EV batteries sourced from France and neighboring countries. This partnership is a strategic move by LG Energy Solution to accelerate the development of a closed-loop resource circulation system within Europe. It supports the company’s objectives to enhance the stability of raw material sourcing, bolster the competitiveness of its value chain, and contribute to the sustainability of Europe’s battery recycling ecosystem.
The initiative aligns with the European Union’s Battery Regulation, which mandates a minimum percentage of recycled materials in batteries sold in Europe starting in 2031. By establishing this joint venture, LG Energy Solution and Derichebourg aim to meet these regulatory requirements effectively. Additionally, the collaboration is intended to assist car manufacturers in developing closed-loop battery recycling systems, thereby promoting a circular economy within the automotive sector.
Derichebourg brings extensive experience to the partnership, operating over 200 collection sites in France and more than 285 sites worldwide. Both companies intend to deepen their strategic alliance and expand their efforts in the battery recycling industry.
Chang Beom Kang, Chief Sustainability Officer of LG Energy Solution, highlighted the collaboration’s benefits, stating, “This collaboration enables us to secure a stable and cost-competitive supply of recycled battery materials from the advanced processing of end-of-life batteries and battery scrap. This initiative will also significantly enhance the value we deliver to customers in the recycling sector.”
Abderrahmane El Aoufir, CEO of Derichebourg, added, “This partnership fully supports our ambition to develop industrial solutions with a high environmental added value, while strengthening the local roots of our activities.”
Source: LG Energy Solution
