KREISEL Electric Partners with BASF for Sustainable Battery Recycling in Europe

KREISEL and BASF collaborate to secure a closed-loop battery recycling system in Europe, supporting next-generation battery development.

13.11.2024, 07:41 CET

#batteryrecycling

At KREISEL Electric, sustainability is at the core of our innovations, and our latest collaboration with BASF highlights this commitment. This partnership not only aligns with our long-term vision of sustainability but supports us in advancing battery recycling processes to meet and maintain the increasing demands for recycling efficiency, set by both EU regulations and the global sustainability goals.

Environmentally Friendly Recycling Methods

At KREISEL Electric, we are proud to exceed the EU’s current recycling efficiency requirements by offering a 79% recyclability rate for our battery systems, well above the required 50%. Our recycled batteries are not only meeting today’s standards but are designed to support the sustainability benchmarks of the next decade. In fact, we are already meeting the ambitious EU 2030 targets, underscoring our leadership in sustainable battery technologies.

Looking ahead, our future recycling processes with BASF will adopt hydrometallurgical methods, a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods like incineration.

Hydrometallurgy not only improves the recovery of valuable materials like lithium, cobalt and nickel but also reduces energy consumption during the recycling process. This ensures that the environmental footprint of battery recycling is significantly reduced, further supporting our shared goal of a greener future.

Full Recycling Chain in Europe

One of the most significant benefits of our partnership with BASF is the creation of a closed-loop recycling system, where the entire recycling chain—from discharging to material recovery—takes place within Europe. By keeping the valuable “black mass” (the material extracted from used batteries) in Europe, we are reducing reliance on external resources and supporting the region’s sustainability goals.

This closed-loop system enhances resource independence, reduces transportation emissions, and strengthens Europe’s position as a global leader in battery production and recycling. It also ensures that recycled materials remain in the European market, contributing to the development of next-generation batteries with minimal environmental impact.

Extending Battery Life Before Recycling

At KREISEL Electric, we believe that recycling should only occur after a battery has completed a second-life cycle, where it can continue to deliver value in less-demanding applications. This ensures that our customers maximize the use of their batteries while promoting sustainability throughout the entire battery lifecycle.

Through this partnership, our customers can trust that the batteries they use are part of a forward-thinking process that prioritizes resource efficiency and environmental responsibility.

KREISEL Electric remains at the forefront of sustainable battery solutions, ensuring that our products meet not only today’s recycling needs but also tomorrow’s.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care, and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated global sales of around €68.9 billion in 2023. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States.

More information can be found at http://www.basf.com/