Soren

What Soren does

Soren is the French éco-organisme agréé (approved eco-organization) responsible for end-of-life management of photovoltaic panels in France, formally approved by public authorities on December 30, 2015 and headquartered in Paris. The organization operates under France's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, coordinating collection, recycling, reuse, and circular economy activities for the French photovoltaic sector on behalf of producers and distributors who are legally required to fund the system through éco-participation fees.

Soren's core service portfolio spans six areas: regulatory compliance for producers and distributors, free collection (voluntary drop-off points for ≤40 panels and on-site pickup for >40 panels), recycling via two methods (mechanical grinding achieving 94% valorization on crystalline silicon panels, and hot-blade delamination enabling recovery of flat glass and strategic metals like silicon, silver, and copper), reuse and second-life testing, sector coordination and R&D support, and educational outreach. The organization operates a network of 323 voluntary drop-off points across metropolitan France and overseas territories (DROM), collecting 13,760 tonnes in 2025 representing a 40% year-over-year increase. The Droven is a non-profit structured as a SAS with 20 employees, funded entirely by producer éco-participation fees with no equity or venture backing, governed by Directeur Général Nicolas Defrenne.

Name

Soren

Legal name

SOREN

Website

https://soren.eco

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Soren is the French government-approved eco-organization coordinating end-of-life collection and recycling of photovoltaic panels across France on behalf of 600 producer and distributor members, funded by éco-participation fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Photovoltaic Panel Recycling & End-of-Life Management

NAICS

Business Support Services (5614)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Waste Transfer (Tires, Mattresses, Appliances) (BPALABAG)

Keywords

• Photovoltaic panel recycling
• End-of-life solar management
• Eco-organization compliance
• Extended producer responsibility
• Solar panel collection

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Écoparticipation (Eco-fee contributions): Soren is financed through écoparticipation fees paid by producers and distributors who place photovoltaic panels on the French market. This eco-fee funds all collection and treatment operations at no cost to end holders. The fees are published in annual rate schedules (Barème 2025, Barème 2026).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Soren is the French government-approved eco-organization for the collection, treatment, and recycling of end-of-life photovoltaic solar panels. It provides free collection services to all holders (individuals and professionals) via a network of voluntary drop-off points and on-site pickups, and runs treatment operations through mechanical crushing and innovative hot-blade delamination achieving up to 94% valorization rates. Producers and distributors pay mandatory éco-participation fees that fund the entire system.

Product overview

Soren is a non-profit eco-organization approved by public authorities for the collection and recycling of end-of-life photovoltaic panels in France. The organization offers a comprehensive service portfolio centered on six core activity areas: Compliance (regulatory obligations for manufacturers), Collection (free collection via drop-off points and on-site pickup), Recycling (crushing and delamination methods achieving 94%+ valorization rates), Reuse & Reutilization (second-life services through testing and certification), Sector Coordination (ecosystem development and R&D support), and Information & Education (pedagogical resources including the Mallette solaire & circulaire educational kit). The Moebius digital platform provides member services for declarations and tracking. Collection is funded through eco-contributions and provided free of charge to holders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Free Collection Service (Collecte sans frais) Free collection of used photovoltaic panels from any holder (individuals and professionals) regardless of technology, brand, or year of market introduction. Small volumes (≤40 panels) are handled through voluntary drop-off points; larger volumes are collected on-site via scheduled pickup.
• Crushing Recycling (Recyclage par broyage) The most common recycling method involving reception, depalletization, pre-dismantling (removal of cables, junction box, frame), shredding of laminates, screening and refining of fractions. Achieves 94% valorization rate for crystalline silicon panels with aluminum frame.
• Delamination Recycling (Recyclage par délamination) An innovative hot-blade delamination process enabling high value-added recycling to recover flat glass and strategic metals (silicon, silver, copper). One of only two machines in the world using this method.
• Reuse & Reutilization (Réemploi & réutilisation) Services supporting the second life of photovoltaic panels through inspection, electroluminescence testing, power testing, and isolation testing. Reuse involves transfer to a third party; reutilization begins when a used panel is deposited at a voluntary drop-off point.
• Voluntary Drop-off Points Network (Points d'apport volontaire) Network of 323 (as of 2025) voluntary drop-off points across France for collecting small volumes of used photovoltaic panels (≤40 modules), enabling free deposit by holders throughout metropolitan France and overseas DROM territories.
• On-site Collection Service (Enlèvement sur site) Collection service for large volumes exceeding 40 photovoltaic panels or 2 handling units, involving a five-step process: form completion, validation, scheduling with logistics partner, on-site collection, and recycling.
• Moebius Member Platform Online member portal for Soren stakeholders to manage producer declarations, track collections, access documentation, and interact with the organization's services.
• Solar & Circular Kit (Mallette solaire & circulaire) Pedagogical kit for raising awareness about solar energy and photovoltaic recycling, featuring explanatory videos, infographics, interactive quizzes, and other educational content for schools, professionals, and the general public.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% valorization rate for crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels with aluminum frame
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• La Tribune (Bordeaux Solar Summit)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 May 2026Soren is partner of Bordeaux Solar Summit 2026, organized by La Tribune. Annual event bringing together hundreds of solar industry decision-makers, clients, partners, and professionals. Platform for Soren to present recycling and end-of-life issues to industry stakeholders.
• SolarPower EuropeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 December 2025Co-organizer of Sustainable Solar Europe 2025. European solar industry association providing platform for Soren to present eco-design principles integration to industry stakeholders.
• IntersolarminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 December 2025Co-organizer of Sustainable Solar Europe 2025. International solar industry exhibition group providing platform for Soren's participation and presentations.
• CertisoliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with Certisolis on photovoltaic panel recycling and end-of-life issues. Contributes to R&D efforts for improving recycling processes and environmental performance of the sector.
• CEA-INES (Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives - Institut National de l'Énergie Solaire)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with CEA-INES for photovoltaic sector R&D, including recycling process innovation and eco-design principles. Key scientific partner for advancing treatment technologies.
• Envie 2E AquitainecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrimary treatment center for hot-blade delamination processing of photovoltaic panels. Located in Saint-Loubès. Hosts one of only two machines in the world using delamination technology. Partner for high-value recycling operations.
• PHOTORAMA (EU Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean research project in which Soren participates for advancing photovoltaic panel recycling technologies and sector coordination. Part of broader EU-funded initiative for circular economy in solar sector.
• SOLMATE (EU Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean research initiative in which Soren participates for photovoltaic lifecycle management. Contributes to developing solutions for panel recycling and material recovery.
• QUASAR (EU Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean project for photovoltaic panel end-of-life management. Soren contributes expertise on collection systems and treatment operations.
• EVER-PV (EU Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean research project focused on photovoltaic panel lifecycle and recycling. Soren provides industry perspective and operational data.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• SolarCycle: US-based PV panel recycling startup operating dedicated facilities for crystalline silicon panel processing. Comparable as a specialist PV recycler with proprietary treatment technology and a mission to build high-value material recovery streams, though operating in a different geographic and regulatory context.

Broad incumbents

• Veolia: Global waste management and environmental services giant with operations across hazardous and special waste streams in France. Comparable as a broad incumbent with the capacity to enter or expand into PV panel recycling at scale, potentially acting as a future competitor or partner to specialist eco-organismes like Soren.
• Derichebourg: French-listed environmental services group with metals recycling and special waste operations. Comparable as a broad French incumbent in recycling and waste handling with operational scale that could intersect with PV panel material recovery.
• Séché Environnement: French-listed specialist in hazardous and complex waste treatment with significant treatment infrastructure. Comparable as a French-headquartered waste management specialist with capabilities relevant to PV panel handling, particularly given regulatory complexity around PV panel composition.
• Suez: Major French-headquartered waste management and recycling company with broad portfolio including special and industrial waste. Comparable as a large incumbent with logistics networks and treatment capabilities that could be deployed for PV panel collection and recycling, positioning it as either competitor or partner.

Direct peers

• Corepile: French approved eco-organisme for industrial and portable battery recycling. Directly comparable to Soren as a French EPR organization using the éco-organisme agréé model, free collection for end users, and producer-funded operations under French public authority approval.
• PV CYCLE: European not-for-profit PRO (Producer Responsibility Organization) for PV panel take-back and recycling, headquartered in Brussels. Directly comparable to Soren in operating model — industry-funded collection and treatment coordination — and historically a reference point for national PV EPR schemes across Europe.
• European Recycling Platform (ERP): Pan-European Producer Responsibility Organization operating across multiple waste streams (WEEE, batteries, packaging) in dozens of countries. Comparable to Soren as a PRO using the eco-contribution model, with the key distinction of operating a multinational footprint that Soren currently lacks.
• ROSI Solar: France-based PV panel recycling specialist focused on high-purity material recovery (silver, silicon, copper). Comparable to Soren as a domestic French player addressing the same end-of-life PV market with emphasis on material valorization and technical recycling performance.
• Citeo: French approved eco-organisme for household packaging and graphic paper recycling. Highly comparable to Soren in operating model — a non-profit EPR organization funded by eco-contributions from producers, coordinating a national collection and recycling network under French regulatory approval.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/soren_eco
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCw_PxFChNZGUWiv085z7jng
• Facebookfacebook.com/sorenecoorganisme
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soren-eco
• Instagraminstagram.com/soren_eco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Soren