LG Energy Solution has established a joint venture with Derichebourg to build a state-of-the-art battery recycling plant, the Korean company said Tuesday. Derichebourg is a leading French company specializing in metal waste recycling. Construction of the facility will begin in 2026 in Bruyeres-sur-Oise, located in the Val-d’Oise region of northern France, with operations set to start in 2027. The plant will focus on preprocessing tasks such as discharging, dismantling and shredding battery scrap — waste generated during battery production — as well as collecting end-of-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Marking LG Energy Solution’s first battery recycling JV in Europe, the plant will boast an annual processing capacity of over 20,000 tons at full operation. The extracted black mass will then undergo postprocessing to recover key battery materials, including lithium, nickel and cobalt, which will be reused in LG Energy Solution's battery production. Under the partnership, LG Energy Solution will supply battery scrap from its Polish facility, while Derichebourg will provide end-of-life EV batteries collected across France and neighboring countries. Through the joint venture, LG Energy Solution aims to accelerate the development of a closed-loop resource circulation system in Europe. This move strengthens the company's raw material sourcing stability, enhances its value chain competitiveness and supports Europe’s growing battery recycling ecosystem. The initiative also addresses upcoming EU Battery Regulation requirements, which mandate minimum levels of recycled content in batteries sold in Europe starting in 2031. It will further assist carmakers in establishing closed-loop recycling systems, contributing to a circular economy. Derichebourg currently operates over 200 collection sites in France and more than 285 sites worldwide. LG Energy Solution and Derichebourg plan to expand their strategic collaboration in the battery recycling sector. "This collaboration enables us to secure a stable and cost-competitive supply of recycled battery materials from the advanced processing of end-of-life batteries and battery scrap," said Kang Chang-beom, chief strategy officer of LG Energy Solution. "This initiative will also significantly enhance the value we deliver to customers in the recycling sector." Abderrahmane El Aoufir, CEO of Derichebourg, said, "This partnership fully supports our ambition to develop industrial solutions with a high environmental added value while strengthening the local roots of our activities.” (ICE SEOUL)

Fonte notizia: The Korea Times