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Verkor begins its industrial journey,
backed by EIT InnoEnergy, Schneider
Electric and the GROUPE IDEC
Verkor, a French industrial company, is
set to amplify battery cell production
in Europe, with the support of
EIT InnoEnergy, Schneider Electric and
the GROUPE IDEC. The new venture will
accelerate the production capacity of lowcarbon
batteries in southern Europe to meet
growing demand for electric vehicles and
stationary storage.
Production in Verkor’s first Gigafactory
is scheduled to begin in 2023, with a
capacity of 16 GWh of battery cells which
will increase to 50 GWh in line with market
dynamics. The facility will require an initial
investment of €1.6bn and will create more
than 2,000 direct jobs while supporting
thousands more in its supply chain and
ecosystem. The search for 200+ hectares of
land is already underway.
Verkor was founded in response to the
growing gap between the expected
demand for batteries and the committed
and planned European supply. Indeed, the
expected growth in demand this decade will
require two to three Gigafactories in France
alone. The European industrial ecosystem
is therefore compelled to establish a
sustainable and indigenous European
battery supply chain, which in turn will
reduce reliance on imports.
accumulated vast experience in the field,
especially in battery-cell manufacturing.
We are multinational and growing fast
with the addition of new talent from
all over the world. We are working in an
agile, fast-follower mode to bring locally
manufactured, low-CO 2 battery cells to the
market. Combined with the expertise of
our strategic partners, I am confident that
we are aligning the winning conditions to
start the construction of a highly efficient
manufacturing Gigafactory in 2022, deliver
our first cells in 2023 and stepping up of
industrial activities, key to accelerating low
carbon mobility in Europe.”
Diego Pavia, CEO of EIT InnoEnergy, said:
“The first Verkor Gigafactory will help
bridge the gap between Europe’s planned
demand and currently forecasted European
supply in this decade. Verkor’s unique value
proposition on manufacturing optimisation
and excellence is welcome. The strategic
partnerships it is building make us confident
that Verkor will deliver. Coupled with the
COVID recovery, the initiative will further
accelerate the French and European battery
value chain, from mining to recycling, and
boost the growth of hundreds of businesses
across France and Europe. Anchored in our
work with the European Battery Alliance, we
are on a mission to achieve a sustainable
battery value chain in Europe. By locating
the site in France, we can produce batteries
with a carbon footprint nearly four times
lower than that of China. France also boasts
a highly-skilled workforce and industry
players across the entire value chain.” •
France’s affordable and low-carbon
electricity, prominent automotive
manufacturers, leading energy providers
and its demonstrated industrial prowess
make it the ideal location for Gigafactories
in southern Europe, a region which falls short
of such projects when compared to northern
and central Europe.
Benoit Lemaignan, the CEO of Verkor,
is passionate: “Our team is made up
of industrial entrepreneurs who have
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