Synne Sauar
Sep 11, 2025
The Growing Threat of Battery Fires
Across Europe, waste facilities face an increasing threat from hazardous items in the waste stream. The results are not only waste facility fires that put workers and communities at risk, but also massive financial losses for the waste management sector.
Lessons from France and Germany
The severity of the problem is clear: In France, a fire at a recycling plant in Viviez involved 900 tonnes of lithium batteries and required around 70 firefighters to contain. Just a year earlier, another incident in Rouen destroyed 8,000 batteries, set 70,000 rubber tires ablaze, and tied up over 100 firefighters and 60 fire engines. Meanwhile, in Germany, around 3.1 million tonnes of e-waste are generated each year, but only 29% is properly collected. The result? 2.2 million tonnes misplaced, and an estimated €2.8 billion in valuable materials lost annually.
These numbers are just one example of the scale and severity of the challenge. Fires cost money, disrupt operations, damage equipment, and destroy recyclable resources that could have been recovered through e-waste recycling. For operators, this makes investment in fire prevention technology not just a safety measure, but an economic one.
Fire prevention does not need to be complicated
While our hazard detection technology is still being developed, Litech’s project with Oslo Municipality’s Waste Agency (Renovasjonsetaten) is already proving the effect of installing our sensor. In 2024, the SmartOslo pilot tested Litech’s magnetic induction spectroscopy (MIS) sensor directly on the waste line.
The results were encouraging:
Gas canisters were detected and removed before they could cause harm.
Operators received live alerts, improving waste management safety.
The system was installed without major changes to the existing line or extra training for staff.
200 bottles removed, meaning 200 explosions prevented! Click here to read more
This was just the first step, but it showed clearly that prevention at the source works. Even in a limited scope, the pilot demonstrated how technology can reduce battery fire risk and turn unpredictable hazards into manageable risks.
From Pilot to Partnership
The reality is clear: fires will keep happening as long as hazardous items slip through. But the lesson from both France and Germany is not just about scale, it’s about urgency. Every incident is a reminder that waiting comes at a higher price than acting early.
After this a successful pilot, Litech entered into a partnership with Oslo Municipality’s Waste Agency (REG) to further develop our technology. The pilot proved that installing preventive technology makes a measurable difference. Detecting gas bottles before they caused harm gave operators more control and safety without adding complexity.
Fire prevention in waste facilities should be practical, not complicated. The right technology can integrate seamlessly, protect workers and equipment, and support the circular economy by keeping valuable materials in use instead of lost to fire.
Want to learn more about our pilot results and the road ahead? Get in touch!