Charged EVs | Axens’ MACARON cathode plant earns France’s strategic project label and 25% tax credit

Axens’ MACARON project, a planned cathode active materials (CAM) plant for EV batteries in Saint-Saulve, Northern France, has cleared three policy milestones in quick succession. The Élysée has designated it one of France’s 150 “major strategic projects,” the French State has awarded it a Net Zero label and it has received approval for a 25% investment tax credit under the Green Industry Investment Tax Credit (C3IV) scheme.

MACARON is designed to supply cathode active materials to the French and European EV battery supply chain. The project entered public consultation about a year ago.

The Net Zero label, awarded in March 2026, recognizes the project as strategic to “reduce Europe’s industrial dependency in the field of strategic battery materials” and “strengthen the resilience of the European electric vehicle value chain.” The designation is expected to bring closer attention from French and EU permitting authorities during the authorization process. The C3IV approval, received earlier in 2026, entitles the project to reimbursement of 25% of eligible plant construction and equipment installation costs—support Axens describes as “absolutely essential” to enabling the project.

Environmental authorization and building permit applications are due in the coming weeks, with a public inquiry scheduled for summer 2026. A final investment decision is targeted for mid-2027, with startup envisioned by 2030.

“This is an additional recognition of the strategic importance of locally producing advanced battery materials for French and European industrial sovereignty,” said Quentin Debuisschert, CEO of Axens.

Source: Axens