Mercedes-Benz Opens Europe’s First EV Battery Recycling Plant With 96% Material Recovery Rate

Mercedes-Benz’s EV Battery Recycling Plant Recovers Materials Such As Lithium, Nickel, And Cobalt, Repurposed For New Battery Production

Michael Phoon

October 21, 2024 | Updated 12:11, October 22, 2024

2 min read

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled Europe’s first integrated battery recycling plant in Kuppenheim, Germany, marking a significant milestone in sustainable electric vehicle (EV) production.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the state-of-the-art plant, which represents a multi-million euro investment, is the first of its kind to use an innovative mechanical-hydrometallurgical process for battery recycling.

The mechanical process sorts plastics, copper, aluminium and iron in a complex, multi-stage process at Mercedes-Benz Kuppenheim battery recycling plant (Image: Mercedes-Benz)

The plant contains an exceptional recovery rate of over 96% for crucial raw materials such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt, which will be repurposed for new battery production. With an annual capacity of 2,500 tonnes, the plant is expected to produce enough recycled materials to manufacture more than 50,000 new battery modules per year.

“Mercedes-Benz has set itself the goal of building the most desirable cars in a sustainable way,” stated Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. “Europe’s first integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical battery recycling factory marks a key milestone towards enhancing raw-materials sustainability.”

The plant employs a less energy-intensive process compared to traditional pyrometallurgy, operating at temperatures of up to 80 degrees Celsius. The plant maintains net carbon-neutral operations through 100% green electricity, including a rooftop solar installation generating over 350 kilowatts of peak power.

German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who attended the opening ceremony, praised the initiative: “The circular economy is a growth engine and, at the same time, an essential building block for achieving our climate targets!”

Partnership with Primobius

Mercedes-Benz is closing the loop on batteries through sustainable recycling (Image: Mercedes-Benz)

The project, developed in partnership with technology provider Primobius, represents a crucial step in Mercedes-Benz’s broader strategy for battery sustainability. The company has implemented a holistic approach that encompasses circular design, value retention, and closing the material loop. This includes offering reconditioned batteries as spare parts and repurposing batteries for stationary energy storage systems when they’re no longer suitable for vehicles.

The 6,800-square-meter plant is receiving funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action as part of a research project involving three German universities, highlighting the country’s commitment to advancing battery recycling technology and sustainable mobility solutions.

Closing the Battery Recycling Loop

With this development, it positions Mercedes-Benz as the first global automobile manufacturer to close the battery recycling loop with its own in-house plant, reinforcing Germany’s role as a leader in automotive innovation and electric mobility technology.

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