Stellantis to Collaborate with Orano to Establish Electric Vehicles End-of-life Batteries
A rising awareness of environmental degradation has led to a cascade of sustainable initiatives and green innovations. Transportation electrification has been the biggest sustainable transformation observed in the automobile sector. With sales of over 10 million in 2022, the electric vehicle (EV) market is expected to grow steadily to meet the net zero emission goals.
Lithium-ion batteries, abbreviated as Li-ion cells, cater to the energy requirements of a significant portion of the EV fleet. The core of the EV cell, lithium, drives the energy generation process, propelling the vehicle instead of the combustion of fossil fuels, as observed in traditional vehicles. The development of these batteries is a significant growth factor for the electrification of the automobile industry.
However, at the end of its life, the battery is unable to meet its sustainability goals. It becomes a hazard occupying some landfills while risking the release of toxins and heavy metals in the surroundings. Regulatory agencies worldwide are inching towards recycling policies and initiatives. Earlier this week, the Franco-Italian automaker Stellantis announced that it would be signing a memorandum of understanding with Orano. In line with the net zero emission goals, this joint venture is to establish recycling plans for end-of-life EV batteries from the European and North American gigafactories of Stellantis.
A constellation of two mobility arms and 14 iconic brands, including Peugeot, Fiat, and Jeep, Stellantis is an automotive giant committed to developing a cleaner and greener transport landscape. They are the leaders in electrification and software development aided by their cutting-edge technologies and dedication towards their consumers via products and services. Stellantis has established itself as a diverse company with members from over 160 countries, 30 regions of industrial operations, and around 130 markets.
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The European and North American plants are some of their larger manufacturing units, requiring massive amounts of raw materials like lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, manganese, etc. The joint venture between the automaker giant and French nuclear fuels firm Orano will ensure its access to additional reserves of nickel, cobalt, and lithium. These metals are an integral part of the production of electric automobiles, particularly batteries.
Headquartered in Maryland, Orano is a global-scale entity deeply involved in energy mining as well as innovative and sustainable technology-based development of the industry. It draws on its unique internal areas of expertise to potentiate the growth of various markets while addressing challenges and building a sustainable future. Stellantis plans to capitalize on Orano’s expertise and technologies to strengthen its position in the EV production chain. Alison Jones, Senior Vice President of Stellantis, said, “The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals has confirmed the need to find solutions like this one with Orano to meet the challenge of natural resource scarcity and sustainability.”
Orano’s low-carbon technology allows the recovery of various materials from the scraps generated during the production of lithium-ion cells and at the end of their lives. The mining company claims to be able to recover up to 90% of essential materials from EV waste using its cutting-edge hydrometallurgy technology. The black mass generated, also known as active mass, will be refined at Orano’s plant in Dunkirk, France; the processed material can then be reused in the production process of new cells, thus efficiently completing the circular economy loop.
Lauren Sargent is a seasoned professional in the field of business, finance media and chemical & materials, boasting more than two decades of experience in the digital arena. She has more than 10 years in B2B journalism. Her primary areas of expertise include business strategy development, operational management, product launches, fostering high-quality journalism, and adeptly leading teams to excellence. In Her role, he assumes responsibility for every facet of content oversight at the News Gazzete.