Electrive writes that the collaboration will also focus on developing advanced processes to achieve high recovery rates for essential battery materials from end-of-life cells, such as lithium, nickel and cobalt. Swedish-based Stena Recycling will collect, analyze and pre-treat used lithium-ion batteries and scrap from battery producers to create the black mass.

BASF will used the respective material to further process and refine it at its prototype facility in Schwarzheide, Germany. Batteries are a critical component to the energy transition, but also to the future of the transport sector, as manufacturers focus on producing battery-powered cars, trucks, buses and even planes, among other devices.e

Marcus Martinsson, Product Area Manager Batteries at Stena Recycling Group, said that "the electrification of society has only just begun, and we want to boost a circular approach to battery production. Cooperation between industry actors will be essential for a successful green transition."

"With this agreement in place, Stena Recycling strengthens its position as one of the leading recycling partners in Europe, to both battery manufacturers and the vehicle industry."

The upcoming battery recycling model, should be proven reliable, will be transferred to BASF's upcoming commercial-scale metal refinery for battery processing, which could have an annual capacity of 15.000 tons of cells.