What Batteriretur does

Batteriretur is a Norwegian non-profit producer responsibility organization that collects and recycles all categories of batteries across Norway, from household batteries to high-energy electric vehicle and marine batteries. Founded in 1993 and operational since January 1994, the company is headquartered at the Øra industrial area in Fredrikstad and operates a specialized R&D facility in Sandefjord focused on high-energy battery handling. It is organized as a cost center, owned by producers and importers of start and industrial batteries, and operates under approved return company status granted by Norwegian waste authorities (Miljødirektoratet). As of May 2026, RENAS AS holds 100% of the shares, consolidating battery producer responsibility under a single owner with 2,500 member companies.

The organization runs a nationwide collection network covering all of Norway from Lindesnes in the south to Kinnarodden in the north, using environmental stations, retail collection points, and trained partner agents. Its core technology includes an AI-powered vision-based sorting machine at the Fredrikstad facility that handles small batteries at 16 per second with 99.9% accuracy into pure recycling fractions. The Sandefjord R&D team has developed specialized methods for safe handling, transport, and disassembly of high-energy EV and marine batteries in collaboration with the automotive industry, and has co-developed UN-approved transport containers including the 1812 Battery Container (with Wellplast AB) and the BAM-certified Cobat Box Lithium for damaged lithium-ion EV batteries. The company also serves as operator of the Hydrovolt joint venture at Øra in Fredrikstad, the world's first dedicated disassembly and recycling facility for EV batteries in Norway, backed by 43.5 million NOK of Enova support.

Batteriretur operates a cost-recovery business model, charging producer responsibility fees to fund collection and recycling services at the lowest sustainable rates, with explicit prioritization of environmental outcomes over profit. The organization runs the Batterijakten educational initiative in partnership with Miljøagentene, Clas Ohlson, and Varta, engaging more than 81,000 fourth graders and collecting over 545 tons of household batteries since 2013. It is a co-founding member of the Reneos European network (alongside Bebat, Stibat, GRS Batterien, and Cobat) and a member of Eucobat, with European car manufacturers including Volkswagen and BMW visiting Norway to study its EV battery handling systems.

Name

Batteriretur

Legal name

AS Batteriretur

Website

https://batteriretur.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Batteriretur is a Norwegian non-profit producer responsibility organization, founded 1993, that collects and recycles all battery categories nationwide for producers and importers. It operates AI-powered sorting, EV battery disassembly, and the Hydrovolt recycling facility under extended producer responsibility regulations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Battery Recycling and Producer Responsibility Services

NAICS

Waste Collection (56211), Hazardous Waste Collection (562112)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Collection, Logistics & Reverse Supply Chain (Transport, Sorting, Tracking) (EUAFACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Compliance, EPR & Battery Passport Services (Regulatory Reporting, Traceability, Audits) (EUAFACAJ), Battery Recycling & Management (Lithium-ion, Lead-acid) (BPALAIAF), Battery Collection & Logistics (Sorting, Packaging, Transport Compliance) (EUAIAIAE)

Keywords

• Battery collection services
• Battery recycling services
• Extended producer responsibility
• EV battery handling
• Hazardous waste management

Headquarters

HQ city

Fredrikstad

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Producer Responsibility Fees: As a non-profit organization (kostnadssted), Batteriretur charges fees to producers and importers of batteries to cover the costs of collection and recycling. The goal is lowest possible fees while maintaining high environmental standards, not profit maximization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Batteriretur operates as a Norwegian approved return and recycling company that collects and recycles all types of batteries (household, start, industrial, and high-energy EV batteries) from across Norway, organized as a non-profit cost center to fulfill extended producer responsibility obligations for battery producers and importers. The organization runs a nationwide collection network, AI-powered sorting at its Fredrikstad facility, EV battery handling and disassembly, UN-approved transport packaging, and training programs for collection partners.

Product overview

Batteriretur® is a Norwegian battery collection and recycling organization operating as a non-profit company since 1993, fulfilling extended producer responsibility obligations under Norwegian waste regulations. The organization comprises multiple legal entities: AS Batteriretur handles start and industrial batteries; Renas Batterier AS (formerly Rebatt AS) handles portable household batteries; and Batteriretur EV AS handles high-energy batteries (electric vehicle and marine batteries). The core service offering spans nationwide battery collection and material recycling, supported by AI-powered sorting technology at its Fredrikstad facility, UN-approved EV battery transport packaging (the 1812 Battery Container developed with Wellplast AB), professional training courses in battery handling and dangerous goods regulations, and the educational outreach program Batterijakten for school children. An AI chatbot assistant called BattBot provides informational answers about the EU Battery Regulation on the website.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Batteriretur EV: High-energy batteries (EV batteries) division handling producer responsibility for electric vehicle batteries
• Renas Batterier AS (formerly Rebatt AS)
• Reneos
• BattBot

Products and services

• Battery Collection and Recycling Services Approved return and recycling company that collects and recycles all types of batteries from across Norway, fulfilling producer responsibility requirements for start batteries, industrial batteries, and (through affiliated entities) portable and high-energy batteries, covering the full chain from collection to material recycling.
• High-Energy Battery Services (EV and Marine)
• Starting and Industrial Battery Services Services for the collection and recycling of start batteries (for vehicles) and industrial batteries, managing nationwide collection with retrieval to approved European recycling facilities.
• Household Battery Services Services for the collection and recycling of household (portable) batteries, including automated sorting using AI-powered vision technology at the Fredrikstad facility. Managed through Renas Batterier AS (formerly Rebatt AS).
• Battery Sorting, Packaging, and Marking Training Courses
• 1812 Battery Container (EV Battery Transport Box) UN-approved transport box for electric vehicle batteries developed with Wellplast AB, usable as return packaging for new and used medium-sized lithium-ion batteries, stackable and foldable, available for sale and rental.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sorting accuracy of 99.9% with AI-powered sorting machine
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• RENAS AScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRENAS is Norway's largest producer responsibility organization for electrical and electronic products (EE). In 2024, RENAS took over Rebatt (portable batteries) from Batteriretur. In 2026, RENAS acquired 100% of Batteriretur AS shares, consolidating all battery producer responsibility under one ownership. This merger strengthens the ability to meet new regulatory requirements and develop future solutions.
• ReneoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network of major battery collectors. Partners include Bebat (Belgium), Stibat (Netherlands), GRS Batterien (Germany), Cobat (Italy), and Batteriretur. Offers full range of services including legal compliance, logistics, storage, recycling, and second life applications through an online platform.
• EucobatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean organization bringing battery collection companies together. Batteriretur has been a member since the beginning. Facilitates exchange of know-how and best practices among European battery return organizations.
• MiljøagenteneflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental organization for children in Norway. Co-organizers of Batterijakten, Norway's largest environmental initiative for fourth graders. Partnership promotes battery recycling awareness among children and families.
• Clas OhlsonflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSwedish retailer operating in Norway. Sponsor and partner of Batterijakten competition. Provides retail locations for battery collection points.
• VartaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerBattery manufacturer. Sponsor and partner of Batterijakten competition. Supports environmental education and battery recycling awareness.
• HydrovoltcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture between Hydro and Northvolt for battery recycling. Batteriretur serves as operator for the world's first disassembly and recycling facility for EV batteries in Norway. Located at Øra in Fredrikstad. Received 43.5 million NOK from Enova.
• NorthvoltcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish battery company. Partner in Hydrovolt joint venture for EV battery recycling. Plans to use 50% recycled materials in battery production by 2030.
• Wellplast ABcoreTechnology or IntegrationSwedish company that collaborated with Batteriretur to develop the '1812 Battery Container' - UN-approved transport box for electric vehicle batteries. Can be used as return packaging, is stackable and foldable.
• HydrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian aluminum and renewable energy company. Partner in Hydrovolt joint venture. Will recycle aluminum from batteries. Part of the battery recycling ecosystem at Øra industrial area.
• European Recycling PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple smelting and recycling facilities across European countries that process batteries collected by Batteriretur. Lead from batteries returns to battery industry for new production. Materials include lead, cobalt, manganese, lithium, nickel.
• Bilimportørenes Landsforening (Car Importers Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization of Norwegian car importers with 25 members. Co-founder of Batteriretur Høyenergi AS with 25% ownership. Active in developing systems for EV battery handling. Erik Andresen serves as CEO.
• Autoretur AScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReturn organization for end-of-life vehicles, owned by Bilimportørenes Landsforening. Long-standing collaboration with Batteriretur. Manages collection of scrapped vehicles and coordinates with Batteriretur for battery handling.
• Norwegian Fire Services and Emergency RespondersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining and knowledge sharing on battery fire hazards and emergency response. Batteriretur provides expertise on handling battery fires and safety procedures.
• LoopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNorwegian organization for source sorting and recycling. Collaborated on digital campaign about battery safety and proper sorting to reduce fires at recycling facilities.
• CobatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian battery collection organization. Partner in Reneos European network. Developed Cobat Box Lithium for transport of damaged lithium-ion batteries.
• GRS BatteriencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman battery collection organization. Partner in Reneos European network for EV battery handling.
• StibatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch battery collection organization. Partner in Reneos European network for EV battery handling.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Umicore: Global materials technology and recycling group with industrial-scale battery recycling operations in Europe. Comparable as a downstream recipient of batteries collected via EPR schemes, but operates as a commercial incumbent rather than a fee-funded non-profit.
• Call2Recycle: North America's largest consumer battery stewardship program. Operates a producer-funded collection and recycling model structurally similar to Batteriretur, though at much larger geographic scale.
• Northvolt: Swedish battery manufacturer and co-owner of Hydrovolt with Hydro. Engaged with Batteriretur through the Hydrovolt recycling facility and through its commitment to use 50% recycled materials by 2030 — a strategic counterpart for closed-loop battery materials.

Emerging players

• Hydrovolt: Hydro/Northvolt joint venture for battery recycling at Øra, Fredrikstad. Batteriretur is the operator of the world's first EV battery disassembly and recycling facility, making Hydrovolt a core downstream partner and partial capability overlap.
• Redwood Materials: US-based battery recycling and second-life startup focused on EV and consumer cells. Relevant peer given shared focus on EV battery end-of-life management and second-life applications, though operating commercially rather than as an EPR scheme.

Direct peers

• RENAS: Norway's largest producer responsibility organization for electrical and electronic products and now 100% owner of Batteriretur AS since May 2026. Operates the closest adjacent Norwegian EPR scheme and directly governs Batteriretur's strategic direction.
• Stibat: Dutch producer responsibility organization for batteries and a Reneos/Eucobat partner with Batteriretur. Runs a national battery collection scheme on an equivalent fee-funded, non-profit basis.
• GRS Batterien: Germany's leading battery take-back scheme and joint Reneos partner. Directly comparable as a national EPR battery collection organization serving producers and importers.
• Bebat: Belgian approved battery return organization and a core Reneos partner alongside Batteriretur. Operates the same EPR collection-and-recycling model and is the benchmark for ~90% portable battery collection efficiency.
• Cobat: Italian battery collection consortium and Reneos partner. Comparable EPR collection model and co-developed the BAM-certified Cobat Box Lithium transport solution referenced in Batteriretur's portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/batteriretur
• Xx.com/batteriretur
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/batteriretur

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Batteriretur