Sortbat Group, based in Belgium, has acquired the remaining 20% stake in Sortbat Norway from BatteriRetur, making it the sole owner of the company. The move means Sortbat Norway is now fully independent from Producer Responsibility Organisations and recyclers, reinforcing its position as a specialist in battery precycling. The acquisition also supports Sortbat Group’s broader ambition to expand its presence across the Nordic battery market.
A growing need for independent expertise
The battery sector is evolving rapidly, and manufacturers, recyclers and compliance organisations increasingly need partners who can operate across the value chain, says Daniel Chéret, CEO of Sortbat Group. Full ownership strengthens Sortbat Norway’s ability to work independently across the market while consolidating the technical expertise built over the past decade.
The acquisition arrives at a pivotal moment for the industry. Europe is preparing for a sharp rise in end of life battery volumes, driven by the first large generation of electric vehicles reaching retirement and by tightening regulatory requirements around battery handling, traceability and recycling. Against this backdrop, independent precycling expertise is becoming an increasingly critical part of the European battery value chain.
A decade of leadership in battery precycling
As a pioneer in large format battery handling, Sortbat Norway has played a central role in shaping battery precycling in Norway over the past ten years. The company works with batteries used in electric mobility, maritime operations and stationary energy storage systems. Building on this foundation, Sortbat Norway aims to keep driving the development of precycling services in Norway while contributing to Sortbat Group’s growing footprint across the Nordic region. By deepening cooperation between Norway, Sweden and the wider Group, Sortbat is creating synergies and sharing expertise across markets.
Full independence also gives customers complete freedom to choose their preferred recycling partner, while Sortbat Norway continues to deliver the safety, compliance and technical expertise that have defined its approach for the past decade. It further allows the company to explore opportunities for battery reuse and second life applications where technically and environmentally appropriate, supporting both regulatory compliance and the shift towards a more circular battery economy.
Emergency response remains a core mission
Our mission is to ensure that every battery is directed towards the most appropriate next step, whether that is reuse, second life applications or recycling, says Øystein Kjæreng, CEO of Sortbat Norway. As an independent specialist, we can continue building on ten years of expertise while driving innovation in battery precycling in Norway and across the Nordic region.
He adds that a key part of the company’s role is emergency incident response related to high voltage batteries, offering the competence and capacity to support authorities, insurers, OEMs and operators with on site assessment, stabilisation and safe handling of damaged batteries.
Continued collaboration with BatteriRetur
Despite the change in ownership, BatteriRetur and Sortbat Norway will continue to work together as constructive partners within the Norwegian battery ecosystem. Building on the strong collaboration established during BatteriRetur’s time as a shareholder, the two organisations plan to maintain close dialogue and collaborate where relevant to support safe, compliant and efficient battery handling in Norway.
