Verkor battery factory opens in Dunkirk, France

In Dunkirk, northern France, a significant development has taken place with the completion of a massive battery factory by Verkor. Construction began in 2023, and within a few months, the site transformed from a barren landscape to a bustling factory complex. The factory is designed in seven sections, with the first machines, including a notable 100-meter-long machine, beginning to arrive. Employees are currently working in a temporary facility in Bourbourg, while a new roundabout and free shuttle buses have been introduced to facilitate access to the site. The port of Dunkirk is not only home to Verkor's gigafactory but is also set to host another major project by Taiwanese company ProLogium, which plans to build its own gigafactory on a 140-hectare site. ProLogium has completed its environmental study and is in the process of public consultation, aiming to secure a building permit by the end of the year. This project promises a substantial investment of €5.2 billion and the creation of 3,000 direct jobs. The local authorities are keen on reducing traffic congestion, as evidenced by the decision to eliminate parking facilities in the industrial zones. Patrice Vergriete, the president of the Communauté Urbaine de Dunkerque, emphasized the need to minimize private car usage to avoid traffic jams similar to those experienced in Grenoble. The initiative reflects a long-term vision for sustainable transport and urban planning in the region. With 16,000 people currently employed at the port, the introduction of these gigafactories is expected to significantly boost local employment and economic activity. The rapid development of the Verkor factory and the upcoming ProLogium project highlight Dunkirk's strategic importance in the European battery production landscape.