Groupe Renault has announced that it would transform its site in Flins to create the Re-FACTORY, Europe’s first circular economy factory dedicated to mobility with a negative CO2 balance by 2030.
Renault said the Re-FACTORY will involve a large network of multisectoral partners, including start-ups, academic partners, major groups, local authorities, etc., and will be structured around ‘four activity centres’ whose expertise will support the vehicle’s entire life cycle by acting on the main components of the circular economy (supply, eco-design, economy of functionality, maintenance, reuse, remanufacturing and recycling).
According to Renault, the four centres of activity include RE-TROFIT, RE-ENERGY, RE-CYCLE and RE-START.
The RE-TROFIT division will group together all the activities enabling the life of vehicles and their uses to be extended, in coordination with the Re-Cycle division to ensure efficient management of the flow of used parts and materials within the same site.
The RE-ENERGY cluster will develop the potential of applications arising from electric batteries and new energies to an industrial scale, including the optimisation of the first life of batteries, development of second life applications such as stationary energy storage, management of the end of life of batteries, and development of technical and supply solutions for new energies such as hydrogen.
The RE-CYCLE division will bring together all the Group’s activities contributing to efficient management of resources and their flows to promote the supply of parts and materials in short loops and integrate a growing share of recycled or reused materials (installation of a line for dismantling end-of-life vehicles, extension of remanufacturing, reuse and recycling of materials).
The RE-START division will aim to enhance and develop industrial know-how, as well as to accelerate research and innovation in the circular economy. According to Renault, this cluster will house an incubator, as well as a university and training centre.
Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault, said the project is based on the company’s pioneering commitment to the circular economy and its ambition to positively transform the industry.
“This plant, with an objective of a negative CO2 balance by 2030, is fully in line with the Group’s global strategy by combining circular economy, reduction of emissions, development of skills and the creation of new value-generating activities,” he concluded.
According to Renault’s statement, the Re-FACTORY will be realised between 2021 and 2024.
