August 8, 2025: Exide Technologies has confirmed it is pushing ahead with its closure of a lead battery production plant in France.

A company spokesperson told Batteries International on August 1 that it was actively seeking unspecified ‘industrial players’ interested in establishing operations at the site in Lille.

The move comes just weeks after Ecobat announced it was halting its battery recycling and speciality lead manufacturing operations in France, followed by the sale of its lead battery and polypropylene recycling operations in Italy.

Exide said in June that it planned to cease operations in Lille following a “thorough review of the economic realities, market attrition, and overcapacity in the industrial traction battery industry”.

But the battery manufacturer said it was committed to the process of finding a buyer under France’s ‘Florange’ law — which requires any firm bidding to take over a site to discuss their plans with workers’ representatives.

Bidders who refuse to divulge their plans or are later to be found to have withheld their intentions may face prosecution.

Meanwhile, Exide said it is developing a jobs protection plan that includes internal and external redeployment opportunities. This aims to help the 200 or so employees likely to be affected by Exide’s pull-out to receive support in finding new careers.

Laurent Wieczorek, senior VP for motion and recycling said: “The battery industry is changing significantly and rapidly. The economic challenges have become increasingly difficult to overcome.

“Although this is a difficult announcement, we remain committed to transparency, social responsibility and ongoing dialogue with all relevant stakeholders throughout the information and consultation process. Our intention is to ensure a structured process.”