Sortbat ​ acquires Watt4Ever, Febelauto remains on board: Belgian collaboration gives EV batteries a second life

A strategic acquisition for sustainable battery management

Sortbat specializes in sorting portable batteries and in collecting, transporting, and dismantling larger batteries, including those from electric vehicles. Febelauto manages the recycling of end-of-life vehicles and batteries from electric and hybrid vehicles, while Watt4Ever focuses on testing, selecting, and reconditioning battery modules from discarded EV batteries to prepare them for a reliable second life. This acquisition enables full coverage of the precycling process, meaning all intermediate steps between the end of a battery’s first life and its handover to the recycler: secure packaging, transport, discharge, dismantling, evaluation, and preparation for a reliable second life. By combining their expertise, these Belgian companies cover the entire battery management chain and offer innovative solutions for the growing EV market.

Daniel Chéret, CEO of Sortbat: "This strategic acquisition strengthens our expertise in the end-of-life battery value chain and positions Belgium as a European leader in circular battery management. By joining forces, we provide a more efficient, safer, and sustainable solution for discarded EV batteries, all the way to the recycler's door."

Centralized management for increased efficiency

The collaboration between Sortbat, Febelauto, and Watt4Ever focuses on centralizing the management and processing of used EV batteries. Thanks to the extensive expertise in the field, this results in faster processing times, lower logistics costs, increased safety, and optimized battery flow management. While the volume of discarded EV batteries is still limited, it is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years due to the accelerated electrification of the car fleet.

Catherine Lenaerts of Febelauto explains: "Thanks to our collaboration with Sortbat, we are giving Watt4Ever the wings to become a European pioneer capable of offering a secure, transparent, and circular system for the management and treatment of EV batteries during this transition period where large volumes are not yet present."

From discarded batteries to second-life solutions

Sortbat and Watt4Ever offer an operational, safe, and scalable solution for the management of end-of-life batteries. Sortbat expands its expertise in battery diagnostics, testing, and certification of reusable EV modules. These services are fully part of the precycling process, a crucial stage in the battery lifecycle aimed at optimising reuse or recycling. With the support of this new partnership, the company can now evolve further and improve its efficiency.

Daniel Chéret warmly thanks Aimilios Orfanos, co-founder of Watt4Ever, for his dedication, vision, and the work he has accomplished within the company: "His contribution has been key to the structuring of Watt4Ever and forms a crucial foundation that enables the company to confidently enter its next phase of development."

With their complementary skills, Sortbat, Febelauto, and Watt4Ever tackle the challenges posed by the growth of the EV battery market and contribute to more sustainable battery management by giving them a second life in new applications.

A solid foundation for a sustainable future

Thanks to this new capital injection (with Sortbat holding 75% and Febelauto 25% of Watt4Ever), the two companies create synergies, with a strong focus on developing software and hardware tools for secure and transparent battery processing. Through Watt4Ever, they continue their commitment to innovative, circular solutions that contribute to the European battery transition.

With this strategic alliance, Sortbat, Febelauto, and Watt4Ever take an important step toward a sustainable and efficient future for EV batteries. By combining expertise and technology, they are preparing for the exponential growth of discarded batteries and ensuring their optimal treatment.