Hydro and Northvolt have entered a joint venture (JV) to construct a battery recycling plant for electric vehicles (EVs) in Norway, the companies announced.
The JV, Hydro Volt AS, will build the NOK100mn ($10.4mn) facility in Fredrikstad and begin production next year. In a statement, Hydro noted that the plant would have an annual processing capacity for 8,000t (7,257mt). The plant will handle aluminum and black mass from end-of-life batteries and send them to both companies’ plants, while some recycling products will be sold to scrap buyers.
Crushing and batteries will be automated and handle a substantial share of litium-ion batteries in Scandinavian EVs, especially domestic ones. Norwegian firm and Fredrikstad-based Batteriretur will supply the scrap batteries and operate the plant at least in the pilot phase, the companies announced.
Northvolt intends to derive 50pc of its raw material through recycled batteries in 10 years and believes partnering with Hydro, which itself forecasts commonplace battery usage in the years ahead, will help it achieve its aims.