Lyon‑based e‑Recycle is quietly expanding its presence in France’s fast‑growing refurbished smartphone sector. Founded in 2014, the company has focused on tackling planned obsolescence by repairing and reselling used devices, gradually building capacity rather than chasing rapid expansion through large funding rounds.

After years of steady development, the business has invested heavily in automation at its Lyon facility. Robotic systems now assist with diagnostics and repairs, allowing devices to be restored efficiently while maintaining strict quality standards. This technological upgrade has significantly increased output, with the company targeting tens of thousands of refurbished units annually.

Beyond scaling production, e‑Recycle is also pushing for higher industry standards. It supports European quality certification initiatives aimed at bringing greater transparency and trust to the refurbished market. By combining automation, local operations and environmental ambition, the firm hopes to compete more effectively with larger marketplace players while keeping its carbon footprint well below that of new device manufacturing.