Derichebourg Environnement x Recycling Europe interview
This interview was prepared and published in the framework of Recycling Europe’s 2025 Annual Report.
Interview with Tess Pozzi, Head of Public Affairs
1. The past year has been particularly challenging for the recycling sector. From Derichebourg’s perspective, what were the main developments or turning points for the industry in 2025?
The recycling industry is at the heart of the economy and as such, directly impacted by the geopolitical situation as well as the difficulties faced by the European industry as a value chain.
The impact of the energy crisis on production costs and the US trade policy are factors affecting the automotive and construction sectors, which are the two main consumers of recycled steel and aluminium. The direct consequence is a weak demand in the EU for recycled metals. On the other hand, the recent and gradual implementation of policies that better protect the European steel industry, joint by the necessary decarbonisation of steel production in Europe, could contribute to an uptake of recycled steel in the next years.
2. Derichebourg has become one of Europe’s leaders in recycling. What is the company’s core mission today, and how does it shape your long-term strategy? What are Derichebourg’s main strategic priorities for the coming year, both in terms of industrial investment and market development?
Derichebourg is one of Europe’s leaders in metallic waste recycling, such as End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs), electronic waste (WEEE) or industrial waste. The family-owned business has successfully implemented a growth strategy along the value chain of metal recycling, through the development of high value-added niche segments (cable recycling, high-quality sorting technologies, refining, etc).
One of our latest developments is on the recycling of end-of-life batteries from electric vehicles, through the joint-venture EV-LOOP with LG Energy Solution (LGES) : the project aims at producing black mass on a new plant in France by 2028.
3. Recycling markets have experienced volatility in recent years. How is Derichebourg navigating these market dynamics while continuing to invest in capacity and innovation?
Beyond the coming financial year, the group remains confident in the fundamentals of its businesses: its activity cannot be relocated, Derichebourg has a network of powerful, high-quality tools, especially in France and Spain that is difficult to match, and it expands this network each year with new high value-added sorting lines. Derichebourg’s sound financial structure allows it to be agile in different market conditions and to seize external growth opportunities, particularly in periods of uncertainty or at the bottom of the cycle.
4. Metals recycling plays a central role in decarbonising European industry. How do you see the demand for recycled metals evolving in the coming years?
The electric steel production process (which consumes the most recycled steel) is an excellent compromise for optimising the balance between production costs and environmental footprint. This is evidenced by the growing number of projects to build electric arc furnaces in Europe that will consume recycled steel and pre-reduced ore, raising hopes of an additional volume of several million tons by 2030. Industrial metals, in which the Group is a leading player, are at the heart of the energy transition and the development of artificial intelligence.
5. E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally. What opportunities does it present for European recyclers, and what challenges still need to be addressed?
E-waste is a flow growing in quantities but also changing in its composition. The last years have seen the omnipresence of lithium batteries in many electronic appliances, rendering their management at end-of-life a central security issue, when it comes to battery fires.
Also, the hot topic of critical raw materials in permanent magnets, for instance, with the political aim of the European Commission of becoming independent in critical and strategic resources, adds new challenges that recyclers will have to face. Investments will be needed to extract, collect and recycle CRMs, but new measures will have to be well-assessed to evaluate the technical-economic impacts of recycling requirements, and priories obligations on certain components rather that a one-size-fits all measure.
6.International trade in recycled materials remains essential for the sector. How important are open and well-functioning global markets for companies like Derichebourg?
It is important to have global and open market to be able to place recycled metals when EU demand is not sufficient to absorb the production of the recycling industry, which doesn’t stop recycling waste generated by EU households and industries, even when EU demand slows. The EU demand in certain downstream sectors is too uncertain and unstable, and fluctuates greatly depending on the needs of different production plants.
7. Some voices in Europe have called for restrictions on ‘scrap’ exports. How would such measures affect the EU recycling industry, and the EU’s competitiveness and decarbonisation goals?
Without a solid and competitive market in the EU for recycled metals, restrictions measures will only make the recycling industry more fragile. What is really needed? A stable demand for recycled metals in the EU.
8. If you could identify one priority that policymakers should address urgently to strengthen Europe’s recycling sector, what would it be?
A competitive EU industry is essential to reinforce Europe’s sovereignty by producing more locally and relying more on recycled materials recovered from waste generated within the EU. In an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape, strengthening domestic recycling and resource use is key to reducing strategic dependencies and securing Europe’s supply of critical raw materials.
