According to Electrive, the new facility will aim to recover important materials, such as lithium, nickel and cobalt, without compromising the feasibility of using these materials in upcoming EVs. Tens of millions of euros were invested by Mercedes-Benz in the new factory, which is also funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, as it represents a scientific research center for three German universities.

The new plant will be able to recycle 2.500 tons of used batteries per year, enabling the production of over 50.000 new battery cells from the recovered raw materials. Mercedes aims to scale recycling capacity, as well as improving the recycling process.

Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius said that "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."

Mercedes-Benz has a strategy to make its fleet of passenger cars carbon neutral by 2039 over the lifespan of these vehicles, one of the strategic points being the increase of used recycled materials by 40%.

Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, responsible for Production, Quality & Supply Chain Management, added that "the innovative technology enables us to recover valuable raw materials from the battery with the highest possible degree of purity. This turns today’s batteries into tomorrow’s sustainable mine for raw materials. The new battery recycling plant strengthens the role of the Mercedes-Benz production network with vehicle and drivetrain plants in Europe."

Photo source: Mercedes-Benz