Stellantis N.V.* and Orano** today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint venture for recycling end-of-life electric vehicle batteries and scrap from gigafactories in so-called Enlarged Europe and North America. The reclaimed cobalt, nickel, and lithium are part of what Stellantis says is a circular economy approach and will help meet the European Union (EU) 2031 battery directive to use recycled materials in new batteries.
“The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals has confirmed the need to find solutions like this one with Orano to meet the challenge of natural resource scarcity and sustainability,” said Stellantis Senior Vice President, Circular Economy Business Unit, Alison Jones. “Guided by our Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, Stellantis is committed to shifting its production and consumption model by fulfilling its circular economy commitment.” The Stellantis Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan aspires to make it a carbon net zero company by 2038.
Key to the deal appears to be Orano’s low-carbon technology, which differs from existing processes, allowing the recovery of all materials from lithium-ion batteries, and the manufacturing of new cathode materials. The joint venture will produce materials also known as “black mass” or “active mass.” This can be refined in Orano’s hydro-metallurgical plant to be built in Dunkirk, France, so that the materials could be re-used in batteries.
Orano claims with its hydro-metallurgy technology, the recovery rates of metals can reach levels of more than 90%. If so, automakers can reach European Commission levels of recycling with the batteries of electric vehicles and ensure the sustainability of the business model. With forecast increased demand for strategic metals and Europe’s strong dependence on those metals, Orano positions itself as a key player in the integrated value chain, from battery recycling to the production of cathode materials.
The new commercial recycling company will also provide Stellantis’ partners, its after-sales network, and other OEMs with a way to manage end-of-life batteries and scrap from gigafactories. Production will begin in the first part of 2026, reusing existing Stellantis assets and facilities. The joint venture is subject to agreement on definitive documentation.
“We are delighted with this partnership with a major player such as Stellantis to work together in the recycling of used electric batteries,” said Orano Group Director of Innovation, R&D and Nuclear Medicine, Magnets and Batteries, Guillaume Dureau. “We are proud to bring our expertise and know-how with our innovative and disruptive process which allows a real closed loop. Orano continues its commitment to developing a low-carbon economy with the recycling of strategic materials for the energy transition and the circular economy.”
*(NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP)
** Orano is an international player in the field of nuclear materials with products for the present and future global energy and health markets. It claims expertise and mastery of technologies and services throughout the entire fuel cycle. The Orano group has 17,000 employees “with the commitment to develop know-how in the transformation and control of nuclear materials, for the climate and for a healthy and resource-efficient world.” Financial prospectus here. It appears to be heavily leveraged with debt.
Stellantis and Orano Explore EV Battery Recycling Deal
Stellantis N.V.* and Orano** today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint venture for recycling end-of-life electric vehicle batteries and scrap from gigafactories in so-called Enlarged Europe and North America. The reclaimed cobalt, nickel, and lithium are part of what Stellantis says is a circular economy approach and will help meet the European Union (EU) 2031 battery directive to use recycled materials in new batteries.
“The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals has confirmed the need to find solutions like this one with Orano to meet the challenge of natural resource scarcity and sustainability,” said Stellantis Senior Vice President, Circular Economy Business Unit, Alison Jones. “Guided by our Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, Stellantis is committed to shifting its production and consumption model by fulfilling its circular economy commitment.” The Stellantis Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan aspires to make it a carbon net zero company by 2038.
Key to the deal appears to be Orano’s low-carbon technology, which differs from existing processes, allowing the recovery of all materials from lithium-ion batteries, and the manufacturing of new cathode materials. The joint venture will produce materials also known as “black mass” or “active mass.” This can be refined in Orano’s hydro-metallurgical plant to be built in Dunkirk, France, so that the materials could be re-used in batteries.
Orano claims with its hydro-metallurgy technology, the recovery rates of metals can reach levels of more than 90%. If so, automakers can reach European Commission levels of recycling with the batteries of electric vehicles and ensure the sustainability of the business model. With forecast increased demand for strategic metals and Europe’s strong dependence on those metals, Orano positions itself as a key player in the integrated value chain, from battery recycling to the production of cathode materials.
The new commercial recycling company will also provide Stellantis’ partners, its after-sales network, and other OEMs with a way to manage end-of-life batteries and scrap from gigafactories. Production will begin in the first part of 2026, reusing existing Stellantis assets and facilities. The joint venture is subject to agreement on definitive documentation.
“We are delighted with this partnership with a major player such as Stellantis to work together in the recycling of used electric batteries,” said Orano Group Director of Innovation, R&D and Nuclear Medicine, Magnets and Batteries, Guillaume Dureau. “We are proud to bring our expertise and know-how with our innovative and disruptive process which allows a real closed loop. Orano continues its commitment to developing a low-carbon economy with the recycling of strategic materials for the energy transition and the circular economy.”
*(NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP)
** Orano is an international player in the field of nuclear materials with products for the present and future global energy and health markets. It claims expertise and mastery of technologies and services throughout the entire fuel cycle. The Orano group has 17,000 employees “with the commitment to develop know-how in the transformation and control of nuclear materials, for the climate and for a healthy and resource-efficient world.” Financial prospectus here. It appears to be heavily leveraged with debt.