In recent weeks, Mercedes-Benz announced the opening of Europe’s very first battery recycling facility, completing the electric vehicle cycle for the brand. Located in Kuppenheim, Germany, the plan will use an integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical process to recover over 96% of valuable materials from electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This move is a significant milestone not only in the company’s goals but also in the world of Electric Vehicles as a whole. This will allow Mercedes-Benz to move forward with its aim of reducing reliance on raw resources, minimising waste, and promoting a true circular economy.
The new recycling plant will cover all steps from shredding the battery modules, to drying and processing active battery materials. The mechanical process sorts and separates plastics, copper, aluminium, and iron in a complex, multi-stage process. The downstream hydrometallurgical process is dedicated to the so-called black mass, the active materials that make up the electrodes of the battery cells. Cobalt, nickel, and lithium are extracted individually in a multi-stage chemical process and can be used in the production of new battery cells.
The recovered materials can be used to produce over 50,000 new battery modules annually, helping to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles while cutting down on the need for new raw materials. The plant operates in a net carbon-neutral manner, powered entirely by renewable energy.
Speaking on the new battery recycling facility, Ola Kallenius, Charman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, said:
“Mercedes-Benz has set itself the goal of building the most desirable cars in a sustainable way. As a pioneer in automotive engineering, Europe’s first integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical battery recycling factory marks a key milestone towards enhancing raw-materials sustainability. Together with our partners from industry and science, we are sending a strong signal of innovative strength for sustainable electric mobility and value creation in Germany and Europe.”
This new facility represents a transformative approach to battery lifecycle management. By recovering scarce materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, Mercedes is taking ownership of the full battery supply chain which will ultimately help to ensure a sustainable future for electric vehicles and reduce the environmental impact of battery production.
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