International
Mercedes-Benz Opens Groundbreaking Car Battery Recycling Plant In Germany
Located in the southwest of the country, the facility will have the capacity to recycle 2,500 tonnes of battery material annually, which will be used to produce around 50,000 new batteries for the brand’s electric vehicles. According to Mercedes, the plant represents a significant step forward in improving the sustainability of raw materials within the EV sector.
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who attended the opening ceremony, emphasized the critical role of recycling in the future of electric vehicles, stating that “the circular economy is both a driver of growth and a crucial component in reaching our climate goals.”
With the European Union’s deadline to end the sale of fossil fuel-powered vehicles by 2035 fast approaching, there is increasing emphasis on the production and recycling of EV batteries within the bloc. Recycling not only reduces waste but also helps strengthen Europe’s autonomy in the battery supply chain, as key materials like cobalt, nickel, and lithium are predominantly sourced from outside the region.
Mercedes has invested tens of millions of euros in the Kuppenheim facility and claims the plant will be able to recover over 96% of the materials in used batteries. The recycling process covers every stage, from breaking down battery modules to drying and processing the extracted materials, ensuring a closed-loop approach that minimizes waste and enhances resource efficiency.
The plant employs a chemical process to individually extract critical metals, which will then be reused in the production of new battery cells. Mercedes notes that the facility is more energy-efficient and generates less waste compared to other similar plants across Europe.
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This development offers a rare piece of positive news for Europe’s struggling EV battery industry, which has faced setbacks due to declining electric vehicle sales on the continent. Last month, Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt—central to Europe’s efforts to compete with China’s dominance in EV cell production—announced it would lay off a quarter of its workforce in Sweden, citing financial difficulties and waning demand.
Mercedes-Benz, along with other German automakers, has also faced recent challenges. Just last month, the company revised its financial outlook downward, citing weak sales in the crucial Chinese market.
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