Groupe Renault, a major player in the automotive industry, and Managem Group, a player in Morocco’s mining and hydrometallurgical industries, announced today the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at ensuring a low-carbon and responsible supply of cobalt sulfate for batteries. Under the terms of the agreement, Managem Group will supply 5,000 tonnes of cobalt sulfate annually for a period of seven years, with first deliveries in 2025. After engineering research, Managem Group plans to invest in the construction of an industrial park in Gemasa, Morocco, to convert cobalt ore into cobalt sulfate.

This direct collaboration between automakers and mining companies guarantees a long-term traceability system for the battery cobalt supply chain. It also aims to reduce its impact on the environment, not least thanks to Managem Group's proprietary technology, which optimizes the energy efficiency of its facilities through the increasing use of green energy, more than 80% of which comes from wind. The agreement specifically includes the possibility of further collaboration between Managem Group, Groupe Renault and their alliance partners on the supply of manganese sulfate and copper, as well as the recycling of short-cycle battery materials.

With the establishment of the Renault Electric Vehicle Industrial Centre, Groupe Renault positions itself as a key player in more efficient, low-carbon and reusable batteries. Compared to 2020, the group aims to reduce the carbon footprint of its batteries by 20% by 2025 and 35% by 2030. Combining the partnership with Vulcan to secure low-carbon lithium and Terrafame's low-carbon nickel sulphate, the agreement marks the Group's move towards reducing the environmental footprint of electric vehicles and the Group's goal of achieving carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040 new step.

The signing of the agreement took place today in the presence of Mr. Ryad Mezzour, Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade, and Mr. Gianluca De Ficchy, Executive Vice President of Alliance Purchasing and Managing Director of the Alliance Purchasing Organization. Imad Toumi, Chairman and CEO of Managem Group and Mr. Mohamed Bachiri, Director of Groupe Renault Morocco.

Mr. Ryad Mezzour, Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, said: “A new phase of Morocco’s strategic partnership with Groupe Renault begins today with the signing of an agreement that will leverage Morocco’s natural resources and industry to support the development of electric vehicles for global mobility and national vehicles. Deep integration of industrial platforms”. He added: “The Moroccan automotive industry is accelerating its transition to electrification through sustainable and efficient procurement of Moroccan cobalt batteries. At the same time, we are working to position Morocco as a battery producer and a key player in sustainable mobility.”

Gianluca De Ficchy, Executive Vice President of Alliance Purchasing and Managing Director of Alliance Purchasing, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Managem Group, a recognized mining company that utilizes unique and efficient production and processing methods, and will bring the Economic, social and environmental development. This agreement is another step towards Group Renault's goal of reducing the carbon footprint of batteries and achieving carbon neutrality in Europe and by 2050. The traceability and decarbonization of our battery raw materials are key issues for electric vehicles and energy transition.Editor/XingWentao