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BASF has launched a major lithium-ion battery recycling plant in Schwarzheide, Germany, capable of processing up to 15,000 tons of used batteries annually.
The facility will extract valuable metals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt from approximately 40,000 electric vehicle batteries each year, producing "black mass" for new battery production.
This initiative aims to reduce Europe's reliance on raw material mining, mitigate supply chain risks, and support the circular economy for electric vehicle components.
The plant is a strategic move to comply with EU Battery Regulations and enhance raw material self-sufficiency for BASF's battery materials division.
BASF has officially inaugurated one of Europe's largest lithium-ion battery recycling facilities in Schwarzheide, Germany, marking a significant advancement in the continent's efforts to establish a robust and sustainable electric vehicle (EV) supply chain. The new plant, with an annual processing capacity of up to 15,000 tons of used batteries, is poised to handle materials from approximately 40,000 EV batteries per year, addressing a critical need for raw material independence and circularity within the European battery ecosystem.
The Schwarzheide facility specializes in the production of "black mass," a crucial intermediate material derived from end-of-life EV batteries. This black mass contains valuable metals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese, which are essential for the manufacturing of new battery cells. The extraction and reuse of these critical raw materials are paramount for reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional mining operations and mitigating geopolitical supply chain vulnerabilities.
Daniel Schönfelder, President of BASF's battery materials division, emphasized the strategic importance of the new plant. "Our new Black Mass plant is another proof for our commitment to the Battery Materials and Recycling industry, which remains to be one of the most significant growth opportunities in the chemical industry and for BASF Battery Materials," Schönfelder stated in a company press release. He added that the facility "will become a cornerstone of our offerings to our customers to increase raw materials self-sufficiency and comply with the EU Battery Regulation." This development aligns with broader European Union objectives to foster a circular economy and secure domestic supply chains for critical battery components.
Beyond environmental benefits, such as preventing hazardous battery components from leaching into groundwater and soil, battery recycling offers substantial economic advantages. By reintroducing valuable metals into the manufacturing cycle, the industry can reduce its susceptibility to volatile raw material prices and supply disruptions, potentially contributing to lower EV production costs and, consequently, more affordable electric vehicles for consumers. The Schwarzheide facility operates in synergy with BASF's existing battery-related operations on site, including Europe's first fully automated cathode active material production plant and an experimental metals extraction facility, creating an integrated value chain.
The global demand for EV batteries is projected to surge in the coming decade, making efficient recycling infrastructure indispensable. This facility positions BASF and Europe at the forefront of sustainable battery production, moving towards a closed-loop system that enhances resource efficiency and strengthens regional competitiveness in the burgeoning EV market.