BASF Partners with Stena Recycling for Battery Recycling in Europe

BASF has recently announced its collaboration with Sweden’s Stena Recycling to enhance the recycling processes of electric-vehicle batteries in Europe. This partnership aims to recover a higher amount of valuable raw materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt from used batteries. Although the financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, both companies are committed to improving sustainability within the industry.

Stena Recycling will be responsible for collecting and pre-treating lithium-ion batteries that have reached their end of life, along with scraps from battery production. They will process these materials at their facility in Halmstad, Sweden, to obtain the so-called “black mass.” BASF will then continue to refine and process the black mass at its prototype refinery for battery recycling in Schwarzheide, Germany. This refining process will extract essential and valuable metals required for the production of new batteries.

By utilizing recycled metals in new battery production, BASF aims to significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with battery manufacturing. This approach aligns with their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Moreover, this collaboration is part of a broader effort between BASF and Stena Recycling to establish a battery recycling value chain specifically tailored to the European market.