Mecaware wins EIC Accelerator grant to industrialize recycling of critical metals from batteries in Europe

We are proud to announce that Mecaware has been selected by the European Innovation Council as part of the EIC Accelerator program. 

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With a success rate of around 4%, the EIC Accelerator is one of the most selective innovation funding programs in Europe. It supports companies developing disruptive technologies with high industrial potential, capable of structuring strategic sectors on a European scale.

This recognition validates Mecaware's eco²-efficient recycling technology, designed to produce critical battery metals (lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper) from battery waste in Europe. 

In a context where Europe depends on imports for more than 96% of certain strategic metals, securing a local, circular, and competitive supply chain is becoming a major challenge for industrial sovereignty.

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“Europe's dependence on more than 96% of its critical metal supply is unacceptable. Today, the EIC honors us with its support for the industrial development of Mecaware's eco²-efficient technology. We recycle these critical metals in Europe, for Europe: lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper. We are extremely proud of this recognition," says Arnaud Villers d'Arbouet, President and Co-founder of Mecaware. 

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The EIC Accelerator: strategic recognition for the European battery sector

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Part of the Horizon Europe program, the EIC Accelerator supports deep tech SMEs and start-ups at a key moment: the transition from technological maturity to industrial deployment.

Mecaware's selection confirms:

• The robustness of its closed-loop hydrometallurgical process
• Its ability to produce battery-grade metal salts that meet European industry requirements
• Its contribution to securing critical raw materials in Europe

Support from the EIC Accelerator includes:

• A grant of €2.5 million
• Access to equity investment of up to €10 million

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Beyond financing, this selection sends a strong signal of institutional confidence in Mecaware's industrial trajectory.

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An eco²-efficient hydrometallurgical recycling process

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Mecaware has developed an innovative battery recycling process based on closed-loop hydrometallurgy.

This technology enables:

• Recovery of lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper
• Production of carbonates and hydroxides that can be directly reintegrated into the manufacture of new batteries
• The absence of sulfate effluents
• Limited energy consumption

This model combines economic performance with environmental performance: this is the principle of eco²-efficiency promoted by Mecaware.

The company deploys an agile industrial model based on compact units located as close as possible to waste deposits, thereby optimizing the supply chain and reducing the logistical footprint.

The pilot plant in Béthune: a decisive step towards industrialization

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The selection by the EIC Accelerator comes as Mecaware finalizes the deployment of its pilot plant in Béthune ( Hauts-de-France), which is scheduled to begin operations at the end of 2026.

This site will enable:

• Validate the process on a pre-industrial scale
• Structure access to raw materials
• To demonstrate the reproducibility of the industrial model

By 2029, the target capacity will be 8,000 tons of strategic metals per year, creating around 100 direct jobs.

This step marks a turning point in the structuring of a competitive European battery recycling industry.

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A stronger financial foundation to accelerate industrial deployment

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The support provided by the EIC Accelerator complements:

• Approval for the C3IV scheme (Green Industry Tax Credit)
• Support from the Hauts-de-France Just Transition Fund

Together, these measures form a structural financial foundation for securing industrial investments.

Mecaware is currently raising €20 million in funding to accelerate its industrial deployment and commercial penetration in the European market.

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Structuring a European value chain for critical metals

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The European energy transition relies on secure, traceable, and low-carbon access to strategic metals for batteries.

By producing recycled metals in Europe, for Europe, Mecaware contributes to:

• Reducing dependence on imports from outside Europe
• Supporting gigafactories and battery manufacturers
• Developing a circular and sovereign value chain

The selection by the EIC Accelerator confirms that industrial battery recycling is a key driver of European industrial sovereignty.

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"The selection by the EIC Accelerator and the secured funding enable us to take a decisive step forward in structuring our roadmap. They give us the means to consolidate an industrial trajectory that aligns innovation, production capacity, and market requirements in order to provide concrete support for the growth of the battery sector in Europe. At Mecaware, , we are all proud to contribute to this strategic challenge. This support is a commitment for us!" concludes Arnaud Villers d'Arbouet, President and Co-founder of Mecaware.

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Securing EIC Accelerator funding marks a major milestone in Mecaware's journey.

It validates a technology.
It consolidates an industrial roadmap.
It accelerates the emergence of a European critical metals sector for batteries.

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Mecaware is thus establishing itself as a strategic player in battery recycling in Europe, serving a more competitive, circular, and sovereign industry.

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