Under the high patronage of President Emmanuel Macron, Verkor officially inaugurated its first gigafactory for low-carbon lithium-ion battery cells in Bourbourg, Dunkerque. This milestone marks Verkor’s transition to large-scale industrial production, supporting a sovereign and sustainable European battery sector. The facility has an initial capacity of 16 GWh per year, intended to meet rising demand for low-carbon electric mobility. Its commissioning will generate 1,200 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect positions, with the first batteries expected to be delivered in 2026 for the Alpine A390. Verkor aims to scale production to 50 GWh by 2030 to become a leading European battery producer.
Two Complementary Sites to Accelerate Innovation
Over the past two years, Verkor validated a high-performance battery cell, industrialized its processes, and transferred innovations from the Verkor Innovation Centre (VIC) in Grenoble to the Bourbourg gigafactory. “The VIC designs and validates battery technologies, develops future chemistries and product platforms, while the Gigafactory inaugurates large-scale industrialization,” the company noted. The VIC pilot line operates 24/7, producing tens of thousands of cells to ensure process reliability and initial customer volumes. Several months of module assembly using VIC cells were completed before the gigafactory began producing its own cells.
Digital Factory for Optimized Efficiency
Equipped with a proprietary digital architecture, the gigafactory efficiently manages product, process, and material data, ensuring traceability and high industrial performance.
A Mobilized Ecosystem
The inauguration was attended by government representatives, elected officials, and strategic partners, including Monique Barbut, Minister for Ecological Transition, Sébastien Martin, Minister Delegate for Industry, Frédéric Motte, President of the REV3 mission, and Patrice Vergriete, President of the Dunkirk Urban Community. Since 2020, Verkor has secured over €3 billion to support both the Dunkirk site and the Grenoble Innovation Centre, backed by leading industrial and financial investors including Macquarie Asset Management, Meridiam, Renault Group, EQT Ventures, and Bpifrance, as well as a consortium of international banks and public institutions such as the European Investment Bank and the French State via the France 2030 plan.
President Emmanuel Macron stated: “With the opening of this Gigafactory, the third in this region, Verkor demonstrates that reindustrialization, innovation, and decarbonization can move forward together. We are creating jobs, strengthening our technological and energy independence, and preparing for the future of mobility in France and Europe. I congratulate the teams and all our partners on this success, which powerfully illustrates our industrial ambition.”
Benoit Lemaignan, Co-founder and President of Verkor, said: “The inauguration of our Gigafactory, five years after Verkor’s creation, marks the culmination of an exceptional commitment from our teams and the unwavering support of our partners. This project embodies the European energy transition and the industrialization in France and Europe of the key technologies that make it possible. It proves that decarbonization and value creation in our regions can go hand in hand. Driven by strong political ambition, this milestone symbolizes Verkor’s transformation into a European industrial company and paves the way for the imminent delivery of our batteries.”
Monique Barbut, Minister for Ecological Transition, declared: “With this first French automotive battery factory, we are taking a decisive step in the development of our national sector. In Dunkirk, we are ushering our country into the industrial future of a decarbonized Europe, creating jobs and consolidating a strategic sector for our decarbonization and our sovereignty.”
Sébastien Martin, Minister Delegate responsible for Industry, stated: “Today, with the inauguration of Verkor’s Gigafactory, France is taking another step in its industrial history. This factory symbolizes our ambition for sovereignty in the field of electric batteries. But above all, it is the result of the work, commitment, and talent of all those who, every day, bring this project to life. I want to commend these women and men who embody our hopes: their actions, expertise, high standards, and passion are the strength of this endeavor. We are counting on them, and we will stand by their side to build a strong European industry that creates jobs here in France and protects our energy future.”
Xavier Bertrand, President of the Hauts-de-France Region, said: “Today, with the inauguration of this Verkor Gigafactory, we are writing a new chapter in the industrial history of Hauts-de-France. We believed in this project from the outset because it embodied a vision: that of a French and European battery industry, capable of creating the jobs and technologies of the future right here in our region. It was about positioning our region at the heart of the electric mobility revolution. The Region has taken its responsibilities seriously, committing €60 million. I want to commend the teams, the industrial partners, and of course the employees, because they are the ones who bring this project to life. I am also aware of the challenges that remain. This inauguration sends a powerful message: when we fight for a project, when we believe in it, when we unite, then industry is reborn. And it is being reborn here, in our region of Hauts-de-France. This is a source of pride for our region, which has become the true European battery valley.”
Patrice Vergriete, President of the Dunkirk Urban Community, added: “This is a great day for Dunkirk, France, and Europe. Verkor embodies this industrial France that innovates and transforms our future. A new chapter in our industrial history is being written today. The start-up of the Verkor Gigafactory testifies to the renewed attractiveness of the Dunkirk region and reinforces the development model we have been pursuing since 2014, in accordance with our commitments: that of an innovative and decarbonized industry of the future. This momentum benefits and will continue to benefit the 200,000 inhabitants of the Dunkirk Urban Community.”
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