Sustainability

Let's develop a sustainable circular economy for batteries in Europe

At Neomat, our ambition is to contribute to the development of a circular economy for electric vehicle batteries in Europe, promoting carbon neutrality by 2050, autonomy in strategic materials with the establishment of dedicated urban mines in France, and reindustrialisation to the highest standards; all with a view to achieving European sovereignty in electric mobility.  

As part of their industrial activities, which are leaders in their respective fields – the manufacture of materials of interest upstream and the recycling of electric vehicle batteries downstream in the value chain – XTC New Energy and Orano, with the Neomat project, carry a responsibility in terms of governance but also towards all their stakeholders, whether industrial, environmental, social or societal. 

Neomat takes ESG (environmental, social and governance) responsability into account in its industrial activities.

Climate
Cathod materials as a decarbonization lever for batteries
Environment and resources
Optimization for reducing impacts
Due diligence
Identification and management of actual and potential risks

Climate


An important part of a battery's carbon footprint is linked to the metal extraction and creation of secondary materials, such as CAMs, particularly when the energy mix is highly carbon-intensive, which is not the case for Neomat's factories, which will use electricity that is more than 98% decarbonised in France (mainly nuclear and renewable sources). 

The Neomat industrial programme in Dunkirk (Hauts-de-France, France), which combines PCAM and CAM production with recycling, will have a positive impact on the carbon footprint of the battery production chain: 

  • Neomat factories will benefit from electricity produced in France, which is more than 98% carbon-free and available 24 hours a day, especially as the equipment will be electric, including those considered to be the most energy-intensive, such as furnaces 
  • Transport of materials between PCAM, CAM and recycling factories will be significantly reduced. At full capacity, the synergy between these three factories would avoid the transport of up to 125,000 tonnes of materials 
  • Located in the heart of the Battery Valley, Neomat will benefit from its proximity to other industrial players in the sector (gigafactories, car manufacturers), limiting the transport distances for the various materials 
A carbon emissions roadmap, currently being developed by Neomat, will be available here. 
 

Reducing the environmental impact 

The factories are designed with environmental issues in mind, with the following objectives: 
  • Reducing the consumption of reagents and materials 
  • Improving the recyclability of flows, particularly water 
  • Optimising energy consumption by taking into account the best available technologies and the performance of ventilation systems 
  • Installing photovoltaic panels for non-process areas 
  • Optimising the architecture in terms of light and construction materials 
  • The preservation of the site’s fauna and flora habitats. 

Duty of diligence

Duty of diligence is a very important part of Neomat's strategy, as are human rights, which apply to Neomat, Orano and XTC New Energy employees, suppliers and partners. 

Access publications: 


Focus on responsible sourcing

While the integrated Neomat site in Dunkirk will help develop a virtuous circular economy by recycling valuable materials and reintroducing them into the battery value chain, at first sourcing with raw materials will still be necessary to supply the CAM factory.  

Neomat's management is committed to responsible sourcing. For this reason, a Neomat Supply Chain Due Diligence Policy is currently being developed.  

The future Neomat policy will be available here.