LG Energy Solution has unveiled plans to form a joint venture with Derichebourg, a leading French company specializing in metal waste recycling, to establish an advanced battery recycling facility. The plant will be constructed in Bruyères-sur-Oise in the Val-d’Oise region of northern France, with building slated to begin in 2026 and operations expected to start in 2027.
The facility will focus on pre-processing activities such as discharging, dismantling, and shredding battery scrap from production processes, along with collecting end-of-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This marks LG Energy Solution’s first battery recycling collaboration in Europe. Once fully operational, the facility will have the capacity to process over 20,000 tons annually.
The black mass obtained from pre-processing will be sent for post-processing to extract critical battery materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, which will then be used in LG Energy Solution’s battery manufacturing. According to the agreement, LG Energy Solution will supply production scrap from its Polish plant, while Derichebourg will contribute used EV batteries collected across France and nearby regions.
This joint venture supports LG Energy Solution’s efforts to develop a closed-loop resource circulation model in Europe. The initiative is aimed at enhancing the stability of raw material supply chains and bolstering competitiveness, while contributing to a sustainable battery recycling framework in the region.
The partnership also aligns with the EU Battery Regulation, which mandates a minimum percentage of recycled materials in batteries sold in Europe beginning in 2031. Additionally, the project aims to assist automakers in building closed-loop recycling systems, thus fostering a circular economy.
Derichebourg currently operates more than 200 collection centers in France and over 285 globally. Both companies intend to deepen their strategic collaboration and further expand their joint ventures in the battery recycling space.
According to Chang Beom Kang, CSO of LG Energy Solution, the collaboration enables the company to secure a stable and cost-competitive supply of recycled battery materials through the advanced processing of end-of-life batteries and battery scrap. The initiative is also expected to significantly enhance the value the company delivers to its customers in the recycling sector.
Abderrahmane El Aoufir, CEO of Derichebourg noted that the partnership fully supports its ambition to develop industrial solutions with high environmental added value, while also strengthening the local roots of its operations. He also emphasized that the initiative aligns with the company’s broader sustainability and regional development goals.
