French lithium battery remanufacturer VoltR has secured €22 million to accelerate its industrial expansion. The funding comprises a €16 million equity investment from the SPI 2 Fund, managed by Bpifrance on behalf of the French government under the France 2030 initiative, and Decathlon PULSE, Decathlon’s investment and innovation arm. A further €6 million has been secured through France’s Première Usine programme.

The funding will enable VoltR to double the size of its plant in Verrières-en-Anjou, France, and increase production capacity sixfold within two years. Investment will also support the industrialisation and automation of production processes, the development of battery-cell diagnostics and repurposing technologies, and the construction of an ICPE-certified storage facility.

VoltR recovers cells from lithium batteries that have reached the end of their first service life, assesses their remaining performance and repurposes them in new batteries. The company says it has brought more than 20,000 batteries to market. Its products serve applications including power tools, micromobility, home automation, smart cities and mobile energy storage. VoltR currently employs around 40 people.

CEO Maxime Bleskine said the company aims to increase production capacity sixfold and double its workforce over the next two years, creating approximately 40 jobs.

The funding is intended to move VoltR’s remanufacturing model from proof of concept to industrial-scale production. The investment will also support the development of a European circular battery value chain spanning collection, storage, diagnostics, remanufacturing, production and, when reuse is no longer possible, material recycling. The approach aims to extend the useful life of existing battery cells, reduce the need for new cells and strengthen Europe’s battery supply chain.

Decathlon PULSE is Decathlon’s investment and innovation arm, which builds, invests in and acquires companies aligned with the group’s strategic ambitions.

Photo: VoltR