Hydrovolt begins work on Norway's first recycling electric vehicle batteries plant

Hydrovolt has commenced the construction of Norway's first plant for recycling electric vehicle batteries, located in the town of Fredrikstad. The facility, which is planned start operations in late 2021, will have the capacity to process more than 8,000 tonnes of modules from car batteries each year.

Hydrovolt is a joint venture between Hydro and the battery producer Northvolt. Both thecompanies have invested NOK 120 million in the plant.

 “Norway has long been a global leader in electric car adoption. At the start of 2021, we became the first country in the world in which over half of all new cars sold are electric. We should therefore also aim to be world-leading in recycling the used car batteries, when the electric cars reach their end-of-life,” said Hydrovolt CEO Fredrik Andresen.   

The facility is likely to process other types of batteries than car batteries, including batteries from the marine sector, from all over Europe.

 “Batteries play a key role in the world’s transition to renewable energy. Through Hydrovolt, we are laying the foundations for a circular supply chain for batteries in Europe,” said Arvid Moss, Executive Vice President for Energy and Corporate Development in Hydro. 

The Norwegian company Batteriretur will deliver batteries and operate the plant. “ Aluminium from the used batteries will be recycled and reused by Hydro, while the ‘black mass’ containing lithium, manganese, nickel and cobalt will either be reused in Northvolt’s battery production or sold to other parties,” according to Hydro press release.

“The plant will be one of the most technologically advanced battery recycling plants in the world,” Hydro said.

“The world needs large-scale production of green batteries produced with a minimal carbon footprint, and this needs to be supported by recycling processes to close the loop and improve the environmental profile of batteries even further. Hydrovolt represents a key milestone on that path,” said Emma Nehrenheim, Chief Environmental Officer, Northvolt.