Nexans to Invest Over €90 Million in Innovative Copper Recycling Plant in France
Nexans has announced plans to invest more than €90 million ($95 million) in the development of an advanced copper recycling plant at its Lens site in northern France, with completion expected by 2026. This investment, in partnership with Continuus Properzi, aims to significantly boost production capacity and foster a more sustainable copper supply chain, which is crucial for global electrification efforts.
The new plant will enhance the Lens facility's production capacity by over 50%, enabling it to recycle up to 80,000 metric tons of copper annually. Nexans has partnered with Continuus Properzi, a specialist in continuous casting and smelting technologies, as the strategic supplier for the project. This initiative underscores Nexans' commitment to addressing potential copper shortages while strengthening its industrial foundation in France.
With global demand for copper on the rise, recycling is becoming a key solution to meet supply challenges. The Lens site, established in 1971, remains the only copper rod foundry in France and plays an essential role in Nexans' vertically integrated copper supply chain. The new plant will employ state-of-the-art refining methods, enabling the production of high-quality wire rod from up to 100% recycled copper, all while optimizing water and energy consumption. Nexans, already a key player in cable recycling through Recycâbles—a joint venture with Suez established in 2008—is further positioning itself as a leader in the circular economy of the European copper industry.
The copper recycling process at Lens will involve collecting waste from various industries across France and transforming it into new finished products. This approach will also support Nexans' goal of increasing the proportion of recycled copper in its cables to 30% by 2030, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of its products and contributing to the broader sustainability goals of the cable industry.
The Lens project is part of France's broader 2030 investment plan and aligns with Nexans' E3 performance model, which emphasizes Economic performance, Environmental sustainability, and employee Engagement. The initiative will also create jobs and improve the working environment for employees at the Lens site, further consolidating Nexans' commitment to sustainable industrial growth.
