Mercedes-Benz plant recycles 96% materials for EVs

Mercedes-Benz has made a groundbreaking move by opening a cutting-edge battery recycling plant in Kuppenheim, southern Germany. This state-of-the-art facility is capable of recovering almost all raw materials from used battery modules, paving the way for a more sustainable future for electric vehicles.

The facility, which came to life after a substantial “double-digit million-euro investment”, covers all steps of the recycling process, from shredding battery modules to drying and processing active battery materials using an integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical recycling concept.

The mechanical process employed at the plant meticulously sorts and separates plastics, copper, aluminium, and iron in a complex, multi-stage operation. Moreover, valuable and scarce raw materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt can be recovered in a manner suitable for use in new batteries for upcoming all-electric Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

This initiative sets a new standard as the plant becomes the first of its kind for a vehicle manufacturer. With an expected recovery rate exceeding 96%, Mercedes-Benz’s foray into inhouse battery recycling represents a significant stride towards enhancing raw materials sustainability.

With an annual capacity of 2,500 tonnes, the plant is set to churn out enough recycled materials to produce over 50,000 new battery modules each year. Perhaps most impressive is the hydrometallurgical process, which is not only environmentally friendly but also less energy-intensive compared to the established pyrometallurgy system in Europe.

True to the brand’s commitment to sustainability, the recycling plant operates in a net carbon-neutral manner, powered by 100% green electricity with additional support from solar panels adorning the roof area of the impressive 6,800m2 building.

These innovative processes have been forged through a collaboration with technology partner Primobius and research institutes, allowing Mercedes-Benz to create a genuine circular economy with their new venture.

Ola Källenius, chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, expressed his enthusiasm for this groundbreaking achievement, stating, “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.”

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