Objective
Mecaware has developed a breakthrough sulfate-free recycling technology to recover lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper from battery waste. Unlike conventional recycling methods, which generate large volumes of polluting by-products, require extensive processing areas, and face strict environmental regulations, our technology produces no effluent, enabling compact recycling units, lowering operating costs by 35%, and reducing CO2 emissions by 36%. The technology is protected by 10 patents and reached TRL6 in 2025.
Deployed through an Integrated Hub model that combines safe battery waste preparation, second-life battery operations, and metal recycling on a single site, the Hub de-risks industrial deployment by securing both the quality and volume of battery waste feedstock. Located at the heart of the European Battery Valley, Mecaware reinforces regional industrial leadership by closing the loop on battery metals and keeping value creation within the EU, in a market where 80% of pre-processed battery waste (black mass) is still exported. This approach creates local, low-carbon, and scalable recycling ecosystems, directly addressing Europe’s urgent need for secure critical raw materials, compliance with the EU Battery Regulation, and resilient circular supply chains.
Mecaware already has strong commercial traction, including a battery scrap supply agreement with gigafactory Verkor and ten pre-commercial off-take agreements. Pilot operations will begin in 2026, followed by the first full-scale plant in 2030 and three more by 2034. By 2031, Mecaware aims to supply 11% of Europe’s recycled metals market, with the first hub generating €65M in revenue.
With EIC support, Mecaware will industrialise its units, de-risk private investment, reach break-even by 2030, close the European recycling loop, strengthen the circular economy, and position Europe at the forefront of clean, competitive, and strategic battery industry.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering waste management waste treatment processes recycling
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkali metals
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- engineering and technology environmental engineering mining and mineral processing
- social sciences economics and business economics sustainable economy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC-ACC - HORIZON EIC Accelerator
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2025-ACCELERATOR-02
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
69200 VENISSIEUX
France
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.