Hydrovolt, a joint venture between the Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt and the Norwegian aluminum company Hydro, plans to open a new battery recycling facility in Dunkirk, France. This facility will be the company's first outside of Norway, where they already operate Europe's largest battery recycling plant.

The Dunkirk facility is expected to begin operations in 2025 and aims to process up to 10,000 tonnes of battery materials annually. Hydrovolt's innovative recycling technology will recover up to 95% of critical metals, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, from used electric vehicle (EV) batteries. These recovered materials will then be supplied back to Northvolt's battery manufacturing plants, fostering a closed-loop supply chain for EV batteries.

This expansion into France is part of Hydrovolt's strategy to scale up its recycling operations across Europe, responding to the growing demand for sustainable battery solutions as the continent transitions to electric mobility. The establishment of the new facility in Dunkirk also aligns with the European Union's Green Deal, which aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable industries.

By opening this facility, Hydrovolt not only strengthens its position in the European battery recycling market but also contributes significantly to reducing the environmental impact of battery production and disposal.