Mercedes-Benz has made a significant leap in sustainable innovation by opening Europe’s first battery recycling facility that uses an integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical process. Located in Kuppenheim, Germany, this state-of-the-art plant enables the company to close the battery recycling loop in-house, marking a global milestone for the automotive industry. The plant’s recycling process, which boasts a recovery rate of over 96%, focuses on extracting critical materials such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt for reuse in future electric vehicle batteries. This eco-friendly facility operates on green energy, reinforcing Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to reducing the use of primary resources and driving forward a circular economy. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz lauded this effort, calling it an essential step towards achieving climate goals while maintaining Germany’s technological leadership.
The facility’s advanced recycling techniques, including shredding, drying, and extracting metals from battery electrodes, reflect a low-energy, environmentally responsible approach compared to traditional methods. By investing tens of millions of euros into the project and collaborating with scientific and industrial partners like Primobius, Mercedes-Benz aims to scale up battery recycling and increase sustainability in the automotive sector. Additionally, the company is addressing the broader value chain of electric vehicle batteries by reconditioning used batteries and repurposing them for stationary energy storage. This holistic strategy highlights Mercedes-Benz’s broader vision of sustainable business, integrating circular design, resource conservation, and long-term value creation across its operations.
