Orano's battery recycling project designated “strategic” by the European Commission

On Tuesday 25 March, the European Commission announced the list of 47 projects considered “strategic projects” intended to guarantee a safe and sustainable supply of critical raw materials. Orano's hydrometallurgy project is one of these. 

The hydrometallurgy project for recycling components of electric vehicle batteries, which Orano is developing in France, has been declared a strategic project by the European Commission within the framework of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), alongside 46 other European industrial projects. Six projects concern battery recycling. Orano is the only such project so recognised in France.

The CRMA is intended to secure supply chains for critical raw materials in order to strengthen European sovereignty. Orano’s activity fits precisely into this line of policy.

Philippe Hatron, Program Director of Orano’s Battery Program, said: “the European Commission according our project strategic importance is recognition for us in this nascent industry that is beginning to develop. Support for the circular economy, for innovation, for recycling and regulatory clarification are all necessary to allow a low-carbon mobility sector to emerge. Our ambition is to develop a French and European industrial solution for this strategic sector, and we are on course to do that. Our project is founded on an integrated approach. Its recycling element is based on the development of the hydrometallurgic process, which we are pursuing in our industrial pilots at Bessines and at CEA Liten, with the aim of creating a closed loop at Dunkirk for our customers, which will complement our NEOMAT CAM and PCAM projects, alongside our partner XTC New Energy.”

Orano hails the measures which are aimed at supporting circularity in the electric vehicle batteries sector and reaffirms its commitment to contribute actively to this dynamic by developing innovative solutions which can help bolster the strategic independence of both France and Europe. The implementation of the measures set out in the industrial action plan for the automotive sector, as announced by the European Commission on 5 March 2025, will form a crucial plank of this work.