Stellantis and Orano Enter EV Battery Recycling Agreement

Stellantis and Orano have unveiled an ambitious joint venture to revolutionize the recycling of end-of-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries and Gigafactory scrap across Enlarged Europe and North America. This strategic move bolsters Stellantis’ position in the EV battery value chain. It guarantees a stable supply of essential materials like cobalt, nickel, and lithium crucial for the electrification and energy transition, backed by a multi-billion dollar investment.

Alison Jones, Stellantis Senior Vice President of the Circular Economy Business Unit, emphasized, “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. 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 joint venture leverages Orano’s cutting-edge, low-carbon technology, a game-changer in the industry, enabling the recovery of all materials from lithium-ion batteries and the production of new cathode materials. These materials, often referred to as “black mass” or “active mass,” will undergo refining at Orano’s upcoming hydrometallurgical plant in Dunkirk, France, enabling their reuse in batteries, thus closing the loop of a circular economy.

Orano’s advanced pre-treatment approach and hydrometallurgy technology can achieve metal recovery rates exceeding 90%. This achievement empowers Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to meet European Commission recycling standards for electric vehicle batteries, ensuring the sustainability of their business models.

Guillaume Dureau, Orano Group Director of Innovation, R&D, and Nuclear Medicine, Magnets and Batteries, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are delighted with this partnership with a major player such as Stellantis to work together in the recycling of used electric batteries. 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.”

Aligned with Stellantis’ Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, the Circular Economy Business Unit strives to increase recycling revenues tenfold and achieve over €2 billion (approximately $2.3 billion USD) in total circular economy revenues by 2030. The company remains steadfast in its commitment to becoming a carbon net-zero corporation by 2038, encompassing all scopes, with a single-digit percentage compensation for remaining emissions.

The new commercial recycling entity will also extend its services to Stellantis’ partners, its after-sales network, and other OEMs, offering a comprehensive solution for managing end-of-life batteries and Gigafactory scrap. Production is slated to commence in early 2026, using existing Stellantis assets and facilities. Investments in reskilling and upskilling Stellantis and Orano employees are poised to create sustainable opportunities for individuals in their new roles.

The joint venture is currently pending agreement on definitive documentation, heralding a transformative partnership that promises to redefine the future of EV battery recycling, supported by a multi-billion dollar investment.