With this cooperation, SEFE significantly expands its physical portfolio of energy transition metals. Under the ten-year agreement, SEFE has exclusive offtake rights over EMME’s entire output of high-purity nickel metal from the start of production, expected in 2028. The agreement also includes early-stage financial support from SEFE to enable the construction of EMME’s refinery and establishes a long-term partnership to connect EMME’s refining capacity with industrial demand across Germany and Europe.
The Bordeaux refinery will be the first facility of its kind in the European Union, converting nickel and cobalt intermediates into battery-grade sulphates and high-purity nickel metal for strategic industries, including batteries, aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing. The project has been designated a “Projet d’Intérêt National Majeur” (Project of Major National Interest) by the French Government and contributes directly to Europe’s ambition to strengthen domestic processing capacity under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act.
Frédéric Barnaud, SEFE CCO, said: “Securing reliable supplies of critical metals is becoming as important as securing energy. Europe must not only develop refining capacity but also create resilient routes from production to industrial consumption. Through this partnership with EMME, we are helping to establish one of Europe’s first large-scale domestic nickel refining hubs while creating a secure supply channel for European manufacturers.”
Antonin Beurrier, EMME Chairman and CEO, said: “This partnership provides a long-term commercial foundation for metals refinery while reinforcing the connection between European refining capacity and European industrial demand. Together, we are demonstrating how industrial champions can collaborate to build robust and competitive value chains for critical raw materials in Europe.”