France taps nuclear know-how to recycle EV batteries

The French atomic and alternative energy commission is using its research facility in the southern centre of Marcoule to find ways to recycle the components used for clean technologies. — AFP

PARIS: In the cradle of France’s atomic programme, researchers are using their nuclear know-how for a key project in the country’s energy transition: recycling the raw materials in old electric vehicle (EV) batteries, solar panels and wind turbines.

The European Union has made building up its recycling capacity a key part of its strategy to become less reliant on Asia for critical metals such as lithium, nickel and silver.