Hauts-de-France: a greener future thanks to battery gigafactories?
Hauts-de-France: a greener future thanks to battery gigafactories?
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With the establishment of gigafactories for manufacturing and recycling electric vehicle batteries, Hauts-de-France has become a true "battery valley," leading the way in ecological transition. From Lens to Dunkirk, the region is innovating to shape the future of the green industry.
Battery recycling: a new industrial era
Hauts-de-France, France’s leading region for automotive production, is now redefining itself as a pioneer in electric vehicle battery recycling. These gigafactories will:
- reduce the waste generated by used batteries;
- recycle metals, thereby cutting down on mining; and
- decrease the need for long-distance material transport by recycling locally.
What are the benefits of gigafactories for consumers? By increasing the use of recycled materials, battery production costs are reduced, making electric vehicles more affordable. Plus, a local and stable supply chain can better meet demand, reducing stock shortages and increasing the availability of batteries.
Gigafactories: powering the economy and the environment
What is a gigafactory? It is a massive industrial facility dedicated to the production or recycling of batteries for electric vehicles. Here are some of the main gigafactories in Hauts-de-France:
- Automotive Cells Company (ACC) Gigafactory in Billy-Berclau/Douvrin: A joint venture between Stellantis, TotalEnergies, and Mercedes-Benz, inaugurated in May 2024. Projected production: 200,000 to 300,000 batteries per year by 2030.
- Envision AESC Gigafactory in Douaisis: Production capacity of 9 GWh in 2024, increasing to 24 GWh by 2030. Will supply batteries to Renault’s electric vehicle plant.
- Verkor Gigafactory in Dunkirk: Operational by 2025 with an initial capacity of 16 GWh per year. Produces high-performance, low-carbon European batteries.
- Prologium Gigafactory in Dunkirk: Uses solid-state battery technology, which is safer and has a higher energy density than traditional lithium-ion batteries. Production expected to start in 2026.
A European ambition for a sustainable future
Europe is gearing up for a greener future! The European Council has set a target for battery manufacturers to recover at least 63% of materials from used batteries by 2027, rising to 73% by 2030.
Inspiring examples across Europe:
- Umicore in Belgium: the European leader in battery recycling
- Accurec in Germany: a major player in industrial recycling
- Northvolt in Sweden: an innovator in sustainable battery production
By 2030, over fifty new factories are expected to spring up across Europe. The aim? To create a vast network of gigafactories to meet the increasing demand for batteries in a sustainable and efficient way.
The gigafactories and battery recycling technologies in Hauts-de-France mark a major step towards a greener, more circular economy. By backing these initiatives, the region is positioning itself as a key player in the ecological transition, benefiting both the environment and consumers.
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