Mecaware secures €2.5M EIC Accelerator grant for battery metal recycling plant

The EIC Accelerator's €2.5 million grant to Mecaware directly funds the development of an industrial pilot plant in Béthune, France, focused on recycling metals from end-of-life batteries. This non-dilutive financing allows Mecaware to accelerate the development of an industrial pilot plant, aligning with circular economy objectives for critical materials. The grant, representing the EIC Accelerator's maximum grant offering, provides direct financial support for deep-tech innovation within the European Union. This specific investment facilitates the transition from research to industrial application for battery metal recovery, addressing the growing challenge of end-of-life battery waste. Mecaware, a French technology company and subsidiary of the Saint-Gobain Group, typically specializes in silicon carbide (SiC) substrates, indicating a strategic expansion into battery metal recycling with this project. The Saint-Gobain affiliation provides substantial corporate backing for Mecaware's entry into this new, capital-intensive sector in Béthune. For the EIC Accelerator, a European Commission program, this grant directly advances its mission to support deep-tech startups and SMEs with breakthrough innovations. The program's blended finance model, which includes grants up to €2.5 million, directly supports the development stage of the industrial pilot plant. This specific funding contributes to the EIC Accelerator's portfolio of advanced material and recycling technologies across Europe.