The European Union integrates Orano’s battery recycling project into its industrial strategy

Orano's French hydrometallurgy project has been designated as strategic by the European Commission under the Critical Raw Materials Act, aimed at securing the supply of critical raw materials.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

On 25 March, the European Commission identified forty-seven industrial initiatives as “strategic projects” under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), a European legislative framework focused on securing critical raw material supply chains. Among these, six projects concern battery recycling, including the one led by French company Orano. It is the only project in France to have received this strategic designation.

Orano’s project is based on a hydrometallurgical process designed to recycle components from electric vehicle batteries. This technology is currently being tested at two pilot sites in Bessines-sur-Gartempe and at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) in Grenoble. The aim is to establish a closed-loop industrial recycling operation in Dunkirk to serve its clients, in conjunction with its other NEOMAT CAM and PCAM projects developed with Chinese partner XTC New Energy.

Strategic support for industrial autonomy

The CRMA serves as an institutional response to tensions surrounding critical raw materials, which are often sourced outside Europe. Recognition of Orano’s project allows the company to benefit from a simplified regulatory environment, fast-tracked permitting procedures, and targeted financial support. According to Philippe Hatron, Director of the Batteries Programme at Orano, this designation validates the industrial potential of the project and its role in building a European recycling value chain.

Towards integration into the automotive action plan

On 5 March, the European Commission announced an industrial action plan for the automotive sector. This framework is designed to support initiatives contributing to material circularity, strategic independence within the European Union, and the relocation of key industrial segments. Orano expects that the measures outlined in this plan will complement the support already granted under the CRMA.

Orano’s strategy reflects an industrial shift towards in-house, high-value-added processes, in a context of increasing competitiveness over critical raw materials, particularly those linked to electric mobility.

Maersk and CATL have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding to strengthen global logistics cooperation and develop large-scale electrification solutions across the supply chain.
ABB made several attempts to acquire Legrand, but the French government opposed the deal, citing strategic concerns linked to data centres.
Aramco becomes Petro Rabigh's majority shareholder after purchasing a 22.5% stake from Sumitomo, consolidating its downstream strategy and supporting the industrial transformation of the Saudi petrochemical complex.
Chevron India expands its capabilities with a 312,000 sq. ft. engineering centre in Bengaluru, designed to support its global operations through artificial intelligence and local technical expertise.
Amid rising energy costs and a surge in cheap imports, Ineos announces a 20% workforce reduction at its Hull acetyls site and urges urgent action against foreign competition.
Driven by growing demand for strategic metals, mining mergers and acquisitions in Africa are accelerating, consolidating local players while exposing them to a more complex legal and regulatory environment.
Ares Management has acquired a 49% stake in ten energy assets held by EDP Renováveis in the United States, with an enterprise value estimated at $2.9bn.
Ameresco secured a $197mn contract with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory to upgrade its energy systems across two strategic sites, with projected savings of $362mn over 21 years.
Enerflex Ltd. announced it will release its financial results for Q3 2025 before markets open on November 6, alongside a conference call for investors and analysts.
Veolia and TotalEnergies formalise a strategic partnership focused on water management, methane emission reduction and industrial waste recovery, without direct financial transaction.
North Atlantic and ExxonMobil have signed an agreement for the sale of ExxonMobil’s stake in Esso S.A.F., a transaction subject to regulatory approvals and financing agreements to be finalised by the end of 2025.
The Canadian pension fund takes a strategic minority stake in AlphaGen, a 11 GW U.S. power portfolio, to address rising electricity demand from data centres and artificial intelligence.
Minnesota’s public regulator has approved the $6.2bn acquisition of energy group Allete by BlackRock and the Canada Pension Plan, following adjustments aimed at addressing rate concerns.
The Swiss chemical group faces two new lawsuits filed in Germany, bringing the total compensation claims from oil and chemical companies to over €3.5bn ($3.7bn) in the ethylene collusion case.
Statkraft continues its strategic shift by selling its district heating unit to Patrizia SE and Nordic Infrastructure AG for NOK3.6bn ($331mn). The deal will free up capital for hydropower, wind, solar and battery investments.
Petronas Gas restructures its operations by transferring regulated and non-regulated segments into separate subsidiaries, following government approval to improve transparency and optimise the group’s investment management.
Marubeni Corporation has formed a power trading unit in joint venture with UK-based SmartestEnergy, targeting expansion in Japan’s fast-changing deregulated market.
Exxon Mobil plans to reduce its Singapore workforce by 10% to 15% by 2027 and relocate its offices to the Jurong industrial site, as part of a strategic investment shift.
Phoenix Energy raised $54.08mn through a preferred stock offering now listed as PHXE.P on NYSE American, with an initial dividend scheduled for mid-October.
TotalEnergies plans to increase its energy production by 4% annually until 2030, while reducing global investments by $7.5bn amid what it describes as an uncertain economic environment.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.