Top 10 Lithium-Ion Battery Crushing and Separation Equipment Suppliers in France

Founded in Lyon in 2010, EcoCycle Tech Solutions has grown from a small engineering firm to a leader in European battery recycling equipment. What sets them apart? Their focus on li-ion battery breaking and separating equipment designed for both small-scale recyclers and industrial plants. Their flagship model, the ECB-2500, handles 500 to 2,500 kg of batteries per hour, using a dual-shaft shredding system to break down battery casings before a dry separation process sorts electrodes, plastics, and metals.

“We started because we saw a gap—recyclers needed machines that could handle the complexity of lithium batteries without compromising safety,” says Marie Dubois, EcoCycle’s technical director. “Our equipment includes built-in fire suppression and dust control, which is non-negotiable when dealing with volatile materials.”

Beyond breaking and separation, EcoCycle integrates air pollution control system equipment into every line, ensuring harmful fumes from battery electrolytes are filtered out, meeting France’s strict EU-ETS emissions standards. Clients praise their after-sales support, with 24/7 technical hotlines and on-site maintenance teams across Europe.

Based in Marseille, GreenGrit Industries has carved a niche in “compact yet powerful” recycling solutions. Their claim to fame? The MiniCrush 500, a portable li-ion battery breaking and separating equipment unit designed for small workshops or research labs processing under 500 kg/hour. Don’t let the size fool you—this machine uses a precision hydraulic cutter to slice batteries open, followed by a pneumatic separation system that gently lifts and sorts cathode materials.

“Not every recycler needs a 2,000 kg/hour behemoth,” explains CEO Jean-Pierre Laurent. “Startups and universities often need smaller setups to test processes, and that’s where we shine. Our MiniCrush fits in a standard shipping container and runs on single-phase power, making it super accessible.”

For larger operations, GreenGrit’s ProLine series pairs their breaking tech with hydraulic press machines equipment to compress separated metal powders into briquettes, reducing storage and transport costs. They’ve recently partnered with automotive giants like Renault to supply on-site recycling units at EV factories, closing the loop on battery production waste.

Lille-based Renovatech Systems takes a holistic approach, offering turnkey recycling plants rather than standalone machines. Their most popular package? The LiRecycle 3000, which combines li-ion battery breaking and separating equipment with a full downstream processing line: from shredding and drying to metal recovery and plastic pelletizing. “We don’t just sell equipment—we design ecosystems,” says sustainability director Sophie Leclerc.

What makes their breaking system unique? It uses cryogenic cooling to freeze batteries before crushing, minimizing the risk of thermal runaway. “Lithium batteries can ignite if crushed at room temperature,” Leclerc notes. “By cooling them to -70°C, we make the materials brittle and safer to process.” The separation stage then uses electrostatic sorting to separate lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes, a detail that boosts material purity for reuse.

Renovatech also leads in air pollution control system equipment , with their EcoFilter 9000 capturing 99.9% of particulate matter and toxic gases. Clients include waste management firms like Suez and Veolia, who rely on Renovatech’s plants to meet France’s 2025 battery recycling targets.

MetroCycle Engineering, a Parisian startup founded in 2018, has made waves with its focus on circular design—their equipment is built to be recycled itself. Their core product, the Cyclone S1, is a modular li-ion battery breaking and separating equipment system where every component, from the shredder blades to the conveyor belts, is replaceable and recyclable.

“We asked: Why build machines that become waste in 10 years?” says founder Thomas Petit. “The Cyclone S1’s frame is made from recycled steel, and its hydraulic systems use biodegradable fluid. Even the control panel is designed for easy disassembly, so parts can be refurbished or repurposed.”

Performance-wise, the Cyclone S1 doesn’t skimp. It uses a 4-shaft shredder to handle tough battery casings, followed by a magnetic separator and air classifier to split metals from plastics. MetroCycle also offers a mobile version, popular with urban recycling centers short on space. “Paris has strict zoning laws, so being able to park our unit outside a facility and start processing the same day is a game-changer,” Petit adds.

Strasbourg’s Blue Horizon Technologies specializes in high-throughput systems for industrial-scale recyclers. Their BH-2500 line processes up to 2,500 kg/hour, using a combination of mechanical cutting and dry separation to handle everything from smartphone batteries to EV packs. What clients love most? The system’s AI-driven controls, which adjust shredding speed and separation airflow in real time based on battery type.

“Batteries aren’t one-size-fits-all—an EV battery has different chemistry than a laptop battery,” explains lead engineer Ahmed Kader. “Our AI sensors analyze the input material and tweak settings automatically, so recyclers don’t have to stop and recalibrate. It boosts efficiency by up to 30%.”

Blue Horizon also integrates hydraulic press machines equipment into their lines, compressing separated metal fines into dense briquettes that fetch higher prices from smelters. Their recent contract with Northvolt’s French gigafactory solidifies their position as a go-to for large-scale operations.

Nantes-based EcoRecovery SAS has been a quiet innovator since 2005, focusing on low-energy recycling solutions. Their EcoMinimal line uses 30% less electricity than competitors, thanks to regenerative braking in their shredders and solar-powered control systems. “Sustainability shouldn’t stop at recycling the battery—it should include how you recycle the battery,” says operations manager Claire Dubois.

Their star product, the EcoMinimal 1000, is a mid-sized li-ion battery breaking and separating equipment unit that uses a single-shaft shredder for initial breaking, followed by a vibrating screen and electrostatic separator to sort materials. It’s popular with rural recycling co-ops, where access to cheap energy can be limited.

EcoRecovery also offers training programs, teaching recyclers how to optimize their equipment. “We don’t just sell you a machine—we teach you to run it like a pro,” Dubois adds. “Our clients see 20% higher material recovery rates after our training workshops.”

Lyon’s PowerCycle Innovations is all about safety—their equipment is designed to handle damaged or swollen batteries, a common hazard in recycling yards. Their SafeCrush line uses a slow-speed, high-torque shredder that minimizes friction (a major fire risk) and includes a nitrogen-purged chamber to prevent oxygen from fueling fires.

“A swollen battery can explode if mishandled,” says safety officer Pierre Moreau. “Our SafeCrush crushes at just 20 RPM, so there’s no sparking, and the nitrogen environment starves any potential fire. We’ve never had a single incident in 12 years of operation.”

Beyond safety, PowerCycle’s separation system uses a combination of magnetic and eddy current separators to recover over 95% of metals, including rare earth elements in battery magnets. They also offer air pollution control system equipment tailored to lithium battery recycling, with filters that capture lithium hexafluorophosphate, a toxic electrolyte component.

Marseille’s CleanLoop Systems is a newcomer (founded 2018) but has quickly gained traction with its “zero-waste” approach. Their LoopMaster 500 not only breaks and separates batteries but also processes the plastic casing into 3D printer filament, and the electrolyte into industrial solvents. “Why stop at metals?” asks founder Elise Martin. “Every part of a battery has value, and we’re here to unlock it all.”

The LoopMaster’s breaking unit uses a precision hydraulic cutter to open batteries without damaging internal components, preserving more cathode material for reuse. The separation stage then uses a pneumatic conveying system to move lightweight plastics to a granulator, while metals are sorted via magnets and density tables. “We’ve helped clients turn a 5% profit margin into 15% by monetizing every stream,” Martin claims.

CleanLoop also offers financing options for startups, making their tech accessible to new entrants in the recycling space. “We believe the future of recycling is decentralized, so we’re supporting small players to set up micro-plants in every region,” Martin adds.

Based in Toulouse, ART has built its reputation on custom solutions. Unlike off-the-shelf equipment, they design li-ion battery breaking and separating equipment tailored to a client’s specific needs—whether processing 100 kg/hour of medical device batteries or 3,000 kg/hour of EV packs. “Every recycler has unique challenges: space, budget, input materials,” says design lead Catherine Lefèvre. “We start with a blank canvas and build exactly what they need.”

One of their most innovative projects? A mobile recycling unit for a French military base, designed to process spent drone batteries in remote locations. The unit fits in a truck, runs on a diesel generator, and includes a compact separation system that recovers lithium for reuse in military electronics. “The military can’t wait for batteries to be shipped to a plant—they need on-site recycling for security and efficiency,” Lefèvre explains.

ART also specializes in retrofitting existing recycling lines with upgraded breaking and separation modules, helping clients extend the life of their equipment. “Not everyone can afford a brand-new system, so we help them upgrade piece by piece,” Lefèvre adds.

Rounding out our list is NextGen Recycling Equipment, a Bordeaux-based firm focused on R&D-driven innovation. Their latest breakthrough? The Quantum S2, a li-ion battery breaking and separating equipment system that uses ultrasonic separation to recover 99.2% of cathode materials—far above the industry average of 95%. “Ultrasonic waves gently dislodge electrode coatings from the metal foil, so we get purer lithium and cobalt,” says chief scientist Dr. Henri Dubois.

The Quantum S2 is still in limited production but has already caught the eye of major players like TotalEnergies, which invested €5 million in NextGen’s R&D last year. “We’re not just building machines—we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in material recovery,” Dubois adds.

NextGen also offers a “future-proof” guarantee: their equipment is modular, so as battery chemistry evolves (think solid-state batteries), clients can add new separation modules without replacing the entire system. “The battery tech of 2030 will be different than today’s—we want our clients to be ready,” Dubois says.