MECAWARE
Mecaware is a French industrial startup that recycles strategic metals from lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery waste using a proprietary ammonia-based hydrometallurgical process, selling battery-grade carbonates to European gigafactories and pCAM/CAM manufacturers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersBully, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What MECAWARE does
Mecaware is a French industrial startup that recycles strategic metals from end-of-life and production-scrap lithium-ion batteries (NMC, LFP, LCO, NCA) and is extending into sodium-ion chemistries. The company operates a B2B platform combining battery collection and logistics, diagnosis at a multi-technical hub, second-life orientation, and proprietary hydrometallurgical recycling services, selling recovered battery-grade lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese carbonates (plus copper, aluminum, and graphite) directly to pCAM and CAM manufacturers in Europe.
The underlying technology is a green hydrometallurgical process operating in basic ammonia conditions using CO2 as a precipitating agent, eliminating acid, sulfates, and off-site effluent treatment. The process delivers >95% extraction yields for each strategic metal, produces sulfate-free carbonates compatible with cathode manufacturers, and is packaged in modular compact units designed for in-situ deployment at gigafactories. The platform is protected by 10 patents and supported by an internal R&D center (MecaLab) plus partnerships with academic labs (ICBMS/LCH at Université de Lyon 1, LRCS/CNRS, LEPMI). Key commercial programs include ScrapCO2met with Verkor (closed-loop NMC gigafactory scrap recycling in Dunkerque), NaCRe with Tiamat (sodium-ion recycling in Amiens), and SEPAR8 (an end-of-life Li-ion recycling hub in Hauts-de-France structured across feasibility, R&D, and pilot phases).
Mecaware generates revenue primarily through transaction-fee recycling services for industrial battery waste and the sale of recycled strategic metal carbonates, with a secondary stream from second-life battery orientation services. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting European gigafactories, industrial battery users (aviation, rail, industrial vehicles, grid storage), and pCAM/CAM manufacturers, with pricing on a quote-based, project-by-project basis. The company was founded in 2021 by Arnaud Villers d'Arbouet and Julien Leclaire, has secured approximately €100 million in total funding (including a €40M Series A in October 2023 led by Crédit Mutuel Innovation and a €2.5M EIC Accelerator grant with up to €10M equity in 2026), employs 65+ people across Béthune and Vénissieux, and is building toward a first 8,000-tonne-per-year industrial factory by 2029.
MECAWARE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MECAWARE
- Legal name
- Mecaware
- Website
- https://mecaware.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Mecaware is a French industrial startup that recycles strategic metals from lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery waste using a proprietary ammonia-based hydrometallurgical process, selling battery-grade carbonates to European gigafactories and pCAM/CAM manufacturers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MECAWARE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Battery Recycling Services
- NAICS
- Materials Recovery Facilities (562920), Battery Manufacturing (33591), Materials Recovery Facilities (56292)
- SIC
- Refuse Systems (4953), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lithium-ion Battery Recycling (Mechanical, Hydro, Direct Recycling) (EUAIAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Battery Materials Refining & Re-Manufacturing Feedstocks (Li, Ni, Co, Mn, Graphite Salts) (EUAIAIAJ), Collection, Logistics & Reverse Supply Chain (Transport, Sorting, Tracking) (EUAFACAA), Testing, Grading & State-of-Health (SoH) Diagnostics (EOL Assessment, Certification) (EUAFACAH), Battery Recycling, Second-Life & Remanufacturing (IMAGAHAL)
Keywords
Where MECAWARE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bully
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
MECAWARE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Battery recycling services: Mecaware provides end-to-end battery recycling services for industrial clients, including collection, diagnosis, and hydrometallurgical processing of battery waste to recover strategic metals (lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, aluminum) sold as carbonates or hydroxides for reinsertion into battery production chains
- Recycled strategic metals sales: Sale of recycled strategic metals (lithium carbonate, nickel carbonate, cobalt carbonate, manganese carbonate, copper, aluminum, graphite) produced from battery recycling, ready for reintegration into industrial battery value chains
- Industrial partnership services: Second-life battery orientation services where batteries in suitable condition are directed to second-life solutions through their multitechnical hub
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
MECAWARE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mecaware provides end-to-end industrial battery recycling services for European gigafactories, battery manufacturers, and industrial battery users, covering collection logistics, diagnosis, second-life orientation, and hydrometallurgical processing of battery waste into recycled strategic metals (lithium carbonate, nickel carbonate, manganese carbonate, cobalt carbonate, copper, aluminum, graphite) that are sold back to pCAM/CAM manufacturers for reintegration into battery production chains. The offering is built on a proprietary acid-free, zero-effluent hydrometallurgical process protected by 10 patents.
Product overview
Mecaware is a French industrial startup specializing in the recycling of strategic metals from battery waste. The company operates as a platform combining an innovative hydrometallurgical recycling technology (operating in basic ammonia conditions using CO2 as precipitating agent) with integrated services. The core offering includes battery collection, diagnostic, second-life, and recycling services, producing seven recycled metal products (lithium carbonate, nickel carbonate, manganese carbonate, cobalt carbonate, copper, aluminum, and graphite). The technology platform is supported by the MecaLab R&D center and three major programs: SEPAR8 (end-of-life battery recycling hub with feasibility, process, and pilot phases), ScrapCO2met (production scraps recycling for Verkor), and NaCRe (sodium-ion battery recycling for Tiamat). The company aims to establish a complete circular economy loop for battery metals in Europe.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MecaLab: Internal R&D laboratory for developing and scaling recycling technologies
- SEPAR8
- ScrapCO2met
- NaCRe
Products and services
- Battery Collection Services End-to-end collection and logistics organization for industrial battery waste, delivered to industrial clients (battery manufacturers, gigafactories, industrial battery users) through partnerships with logistics providers and eco-organisms across Europe.
- Battery Diagnostic Services Analysis of each battery batch at Mecaware's multitechnical hub in Béthune to determine the most suitable valorization pathway (reuse, second life, or hydrometallurgical recycling), delivered to industrial battery users and producers.
- Second Life Battery Services Orientation of batteries in suitable condition to second-life applications through the multitechnical hub, in partnership with specialized remanufacturing partners such as VoltR, for industrial battery users and producers.
- Hydrometallurgical Battery Recycling Technology Proprietary hydrometallurgical recycling process operating in basic ammonia conditions with CO2 as a precipitating agent, selectively extracting strategic metals (lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, aluminum) from battery waste without generating effluents or sulfates. Achieves above 95% extraction yields and produces metal carbonates directly compatible with pCAM/CAM manufacturers. Protected by 10 patents.
- Lithium Carbonate (Li2CO3) Battery-grade lithium salt produced from lithium-ion battery recycling through Mecaware's hydrometallurgical process, sold with adjustable specifications for direct integration into cathode material production.
- Nickel Carbonate (NiCO3) High-purity nickel salt from lithium-ion battery recycling via Mecaware's hydrometallurgical process, ready for conversion to precursor for next-generation battery active material manufacturing.
- Manganese Carbonate (MnCO3) Manganese salt from lithium-ion battery recycling obtained through targeted separation processes, enhancing battery lifespan and safety in cathode applications.
- Cobalt Carbonate (CoCO3) High-purity cobalt salt from lithium-ion battery recycling via selective extraction and purification processes, essential for battery thermal stability.
- Recycled Copper (Cu) Copper recovered from lithium-ion battery recycling through targeted separation processes, suitable for various industrial applications.
- Recycled Aluminum (Al) Aluminum recovered from lithium-ion battery recycling through advanced separation processes for industrial reuse.
- Recycled Graphite Graphite recovered from lithium-ion battery recycling through advanced separation processes for industrial reuse.
Quantifiable outcome
- Extraction yields above 95% for each strategic metal (lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use MECAWARE
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MECAWARE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
MECAWARE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- VerkorcoreGigafactory of NMC batteries in Dunkerque; ScrapCO2met project aims to build a closed-loop recycling unit for Verkor's production scraps, integrating mechanical pre-treatment and hydrometallurgical metal extraction
- TiamatcoreSodium-ion gigafactory in Amiens (Hauts-de-France); NaCRe project develops recycling process for Tiamat's Na-ion battery production scraps to close the circular economy loop
- ICBMS/LCH (Université de Lyon 1)coreResearch laboratory at the origin of Mecaware's technology through Professor Julien Leclaire's work; continues fundamental research to develop more sustainable chemistry; responsible for hydrometallurgical extraction development
- LRCS (Laboratoire de Réactivité et Chimie des Déchets)majorCNRS research laboratory specializing in electrode materials chemistry and metal recycling; studies valorization of recycled metals through pCAM and battery production
- LEPMImajorElectrochemistry and materials physics research laboratory at Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble; qualifies performance of battery cells made from recycled metal salts
- MTB RecyclingmajorSpecialist in recycling and valorization of metallic waste including batteries; operates mechanical pre-treatment line for battery scraps, producing blackmass for hydrometallurgical processing
- INERISsupportingNational Institute of Industrial Environment and Risks; conducts industrial risk studies related to SEPAR8 process and project operations
- Neo-EcosupportingDevelops territorial circular economy loops; handles regulatory evaluation on end-of-life batteries, resource assessment, and collection procedures
- VoltRsupportingSpecializes in lithium-ion battery reconditioning and life extension; accompanies Mecaware in deploying remanufacturing activity for second-life batteries
- We LoopsupportingExpertise and innovation bureau specializing in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA); evaluates environmental impact of projects to optimize sustainability
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
MECAWARE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Li-Cycle: Canada-headquartered lithium-ion battery recycler using a proprietary 'spoke-and-hub' model with mechanical pre-treatment and hydrometallurgical recovery (though processing via sulfate intermediate). Direct competitor to Mecaware in lithium-ion battery recycling for gigafactories and industrial customers.
- Redwood Materials: US-based battery recycling company recovering critical metals from end-of-life and production-scrap lithium-ion batteries. Comparable to Mecaware as a direct hydrometallurgical/mechanical recycling competitor serving gigafactories (e.g., Panasonic, Tesla, Toyota) with strategic metals recovery.
- Northvolt (Revolt/Ett): Swedish battery manufacturer with an integrated battery recycling arm (Revolt) targeting closed-loop recovery from its own cells and from external customers. Comparable to Mecaware as a European closed-loop recycling player serving EV battery value chains.
Broad incumbents
- Umicore: Belgian materials technology and recycling group with a long-established battery materials and precious metals refinery business. Comparable as a broader incumbent in battery recycling and pCAM materials supply, competing with Mecaware across multiple chemistries and geographies.
- Fortum: Finnish energy company with a battery recycling business (Fortum Harjavalta hydrometallurgical plant) processing lithium-ion batteries at industrial scale. Comparable as an established European hydrometallurgical recycler, though using conventional acid-based chemistry rather than Mecaware's ammonia route.
- GEM Co. Chinese battery materials and recycling company with one of the world's largest lithium-ion battery recycling capacities. Comparable as a major recycling incumbent — although using different chemistry — that competes in the same global metal-recovery value chain.
- Glencore (Recycling/Battery Materials): Swiss multinational commodity trader and recycler with battery recycling operations and cobalt/nickel refining capacity. Comparable as a large incumbent in critical metal recovery with integrated downstream offtake into the battery materials supply chain.
Regional players
- SungEel HiTech: South Korea-based battery recycling company operating pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes, with significant offtake relationships with Korean battery OEMs. Comparable as a regional recycling peer serving Asia-based gigafactory ecosystems.
- Hydrovolt (Norsk Hydro / Northvolt): Norwegian battery recycling joint venture between Norsk Hydro and Northvolt, operating Europe's first large-scale lithium-ion battery recycling plant in Fredrikstad. Comparable as a European-based battery recycler targeting production scrap and end-of-life batteries.
Emerging players
- Cyclic Materials: Canadian startup developing hydrometallurgical recycling technology for lithium-ion and other battery chemistries with a focus on rare earth and critical metal recovery. Comparable as an emerging chemistry-focused recycler in an early commercialization phase similar to Mecaware.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MECAWARE social profiles
Digital presenceMECAWARE compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
MECAWARE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MECAWARE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
MECAWARE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors11 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MECAWARE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MECAWARE
What does MECAWARE do?
Mecaware provides end-to-end industrial battery recycling services for European gigafactories, battery manufacturers, and industrial battery users, covering collection logistics, diagnosis, second-life orientation, and hydrometallurgical processing of battery waste into recycled strategic metals (lithium carbonate, nickel carbonate, manganese carbonate, cobalt carbonate, copper, aluminum, graphite) that are sold back to pCAM/CAM manufacturers for reintegration into battery production chains. The offering is built on a proprietary acid-free, zero-effluent hydrometallurgical process protected by 10 patents.
Is MECAWARE a public or private company?
MECAWARE is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was MECAWARE founded?
MECAWARE was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MECAWARE based?
MECAWARE is headquartered in Bully, France, in the Europe region.
How does MECAWARE make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Battery recycling services are the primary driver. The others are recycled strategic metals sales and industrial partnership services.
Who are MECAWARE's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Li-Cycle, Redwood Materials and Northvolt (Revolt/Ett). Broad incumbents are Umicore, Fortum, GEM Co. and Glencore (Recycling/Battery Materials). Regional players are SungEel HiTech and Hydrovolt (Norsk Hydro / Northvolt). Cyclic Materials is listed as an emerging player.
Does MECAWARE have an API?
No public API is recorded for MECAWARE.
What industry is MECAWARE in?
MECAWARE's product category is Battery Recycling Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAIAIAF, Lithium-ion Battery Recycling (Mechanical, Hydro, Direct Recycling), with a secondary code of EUAIAIAJ, Battery Materials Refining & Re-Manufacturing Feedstocks (Li, Ni, Co, Mn, Graphite Salts). Its NAICS code is 562920 and its SIC code is 4953.