Hydrovolt, a joint venture between Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt and Norwegian aluminium producer Norsk Hydro, has announced plans to establish a recycling facility in Hordain, northern France. This decision marks a significant move aimed at bolstering Hydrovolt’s presence in Europe’s burgeoning battery recycling sector.
Located strategically near other key players in the region’s battery industry, including ProLogium and Renault partner Verkor in Dunkirk, Hydrovolt’s new facility in Hordain is set to serve as a collection point for discharging and dismantling electric vehicle and industrial batteries. Operations are slated to commence in 2025, pending necessary approvals, leveraging existing infrastructure spanning approximately 3,000 square meters.
“This is a big milestone for Hydrovolt,” said Ole Christen Enger, CEO of Hydrovolt. “The entry to the French market will help us maintain our position as a leading European recycler of EV and industrial batteries. It is key for us to establish local presence across Europe to help build a circular battery value chain.”
Hydrovolt, headquartered in Oslo, Norway, has already been operational since May 2022 with a recycling plant in Fredrikstad, capable of processing up to 12,000 tons of battery packs annually. The joint venture aims to ramp up its recycling capacity to 70,000 tons by 2025 and 300,000 tons by 2030, aligning with the rising demand for sustainable battery solutions in Europe.
Partnering with Finnish competitor Fortum, Hydrovolt is also contributing to advancing innovative recycling methods across Northern Europe.
