Hydrovolt invests in battery recycling capacity in France

Hydrovolt has taken its final investment decision on expanding its business to France through establishing recycling capacity located in Hordain in the heart of Northern France’s battery valley.

Hydrovolt is already running one of Europe’s largest EV battery recycling plants in Fredrikstad, Norway. When the company now expands its business to France, it is based on the valuable experience and existing recycling activities in Norway.

Northern France is chosen as the preferred entry region as it is a growing hub for the battery value chain. The area has already attracted four major battery gigafactory investments, much due to the region’s location, skilled workforce and industrial and automotive tradition.

This is a big milestone for Hydrovolt, and the entry to the French market will help us maintain our position as a leading European recycler of EV and industrial batteries. It is key for us to establish local presence across Europe to help build a circular battery value chain

Ole-Christen Enger, CEO of Hydrovolt

As a first step, Hydrovolt will be establishing a collection point with the ability to discharge and dismantle EV batteries and industrial batteries. The chosen site in Hordain already has a set-up suitable for recycling operations designed at approx. 3000 square meters. Pending final permits, the company estimates to start operations in 2025.

European demand for batteries is growing exponentially, mainly driven by the electrification of transport, with an expectation to further increase by 2030. Recycling provides a new supply of battery-grade metals which is preferable to freshly mined materials.

Update, February 2026: Hydrovolt to refocus on the Nordics

Due to changing market conditions and revised company strategy, Hydrovolt has decided to end its project in France, and focus on its core markets in the Nordics.

Hydrovolt made an investment decision in 2024 to enter the French battery recycling market by establishing a small discharging -and dismantling facility in Hordain. The project has so far included leasing of a site while the project has been subject to permitting processes.

The market has not developed as expected over the past years, and in particular, the supply of waste batteries is lower than expected. Therefore, Hydrovolt has decided to end the project and focus on its core markets in the Nordic region, Norway and Sweden.

Hydrovolt would like to thank the French authorities for their warm welcome, their support throughout the process, and the time they have dedicated to the project.

Hydrovolt will continue to operate its state-of-the-art battery recycling plant with a capacity of 12 000 tons of waste batteries in Fredrikstad. The company offers a full range of waste battery management services from collection to reuse assessment and recycling, with the aim of becoming one of the leading service providers in Norway and Sweden.