European and regional context of the battery sector

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The Hauts-de-France Region has established itself as a strategic hub in the battery sector, notably due to the establishment of several gigafactories, now recognised as the "Battery Valley". This rapidly growing ecosystem is attracting numerous players across the value chain (refining, recycling, repurposing) and is part of a circular economy dynamic.

In response to the economic and environmental challenges, regional and international initiatives are multiplying, accompanied by the development of support services for industries (logistics, recycling, training, safety, consultancy, and R&D).

From a regulatory perspective, new European standards are being introduced to govern the battery industry:

• Battery Regulation: sets minimum thresholds for the integration of recycled materials and requires the disclosure of the carbon footprint of batteries starting in 2025.
• Digital Product Passport (DPP): a QR code will accompany each battery to inform consumers and facilitate lifecycle tracking starting in 2027.
• Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA): aims to secure the EU’s supply of strategic raw materials.

The sector is also undergoing significant technological and economic changes, impacting ongoing projects and requiring a rapid adaptation from all stakeholders across the value chain.

The success of this "Battery Valley" relies on the development of an interconnected and dynamic ecosystem, capable of evolving in unison to meet the demands of a globalised industrial sector. By integrating the highest international standards and encouraging cross-border collaboration, this ecosystem will strengthen Hauts-de-France’s position as a driver of the global energy transition.

BATTERS project phase 1 (2022-2023)

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The project’s work covered several areas: a market study and a state-of-the-art review of battery technologies and their recycling, regulatory monitoring of European legislation, as well as discussions with industrial and scientific stakeholders. A territorial Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted to evaluate the impact of batteries in the region through to 2070, accompanied by a social screening aimed at identifying relevant impact categories for a Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA). All of this work led to the drafting of a strategic roadmap for the Hauts-de-France Region.

BATTERS project phase 2 (2025 - 2027)

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The second phase of the BATTERS project, led by WeLOOP and Ailoop, aims to further structure and energise the battery sector in the Hauts-de-France region by addressing environmental, economic, and societal challenges, as well as the criticality of raw materials.

This second phase broadens the scope to take into account all types of batteries: mobility, small mobility, industry, stationary storage, portable equipment, etc.

Supported by the Hauts-de-France Region and the European Union, this new phase aims to strengthen innovation, competitiveness, and cooperation, while anticipating future developments in the industry.

Project leaders