Mercedes-Benz battery recycling plant recovers '96%' of materials
Mercedes-Benz has opened Europe's first battery recycling plant in Germany, achieving over 96% recycling efficiency using an innovative process, with a capacity of 2,500 tonnes to support future EV production.
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Mercedes-Benz has inaugurated Europe’s first battery recycling plant in Kuppenheim, Germany, which boasts a recycling rate exceeding 96%. This facility employs an innovative integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical process, allowing the company to recycle valuable materials such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt for future electric vehicle (EV) production. The plant handles all stages of battery recycling, from shredding to processing active materials and sorting various components. Unlike traditional pyrometallurgical methods, this new process is more energy-efficient and generates less waste, operating at lower temperatures and in a net carbon-neutral manner, supported by a photovoltaic system. With an annual capacity of 2,500 tonnes, the plant is expected to supply materials for over 50,000 new battery modules. Mercedes-Benz plans to increase production and expand recycling capabilities in the future. The project is a collaboration with Primobius, a joint venture focused on battery recycling technology, and has received funding from the German government as part of a scientific research initiative.
- Mercedes-Benz's new plant recycles over 96% of battery materials.
- The facility uses an innovative mechanical-hydrometallurgical process.
- It operates in a net carbon-neutral manner with a photovoltaic system.
- The plant has an annual capacity of 2,500 tonnes for battery materials.
- Mercedes-Benz aims to scale up production and enhance recycling capabilities.
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6 commentsA modest start? If that corresponds to 50k new battery modules then wouldn't that also be approximately the same number of five- or ten-year old modules? That should be a sizable share of what Mercedes-Benz sold at the time.
Not to take away from this being good news, but clean water is also a scarce resource.
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