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Highlights
- Neometals and SMS Group's JV supports Mercedes Benz’s battery recycling efforts.
- New recycling plant in Germany focuses on sustainable electric vehicle batteries.
- Plant has capacity to recycle materials for over 50,000 new battery modules.
Neometals Ltd. (ASX:NMT), in partnership with Germany’s SMS Group GmbH, has made a significant stride in the battery recycling industry with their joint venture (JV), Primobius. The JV is now central to Mercedes Benz’s growing focus on recycling lithium-ion batteries for its electric vehicles (EVs). This development aligns with Europe’s stringent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements, particularly in Germany, which has a rigorous framework for recycling practices.
Primobius, a 50/50 collaboration between Neometals and SMS Group, plays a key role in Mercedes Benz’s ambitious battery recycling program. The program's aim is to integrate cutting-edge recycling processes into its broader strategy of sustainable resource management. The new battery recycling plant, located in Kuppenheim, Germany, was officially launched by Mercedes, marking the first of its kind in Europe.
The plant utilizes an innovative combination of mechanical and hydrometallurgical processes. In this system, a mechanical approach separates materials such as plastic, copper, iron, and aluminum from the anode materials, commonly referred to as "black mass." This black mass contains critical elements like lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese. Through chemical treatments, these valuable materials are separated and recovered for future use.
This facility has the capacity to process 2,500 tons of battery material annually, which will contribute to the production of more than 50,000 new battery modules for Mercedes Benz’s electric vehicles. According to Dr. Michel Siemon, the Chief Executive Officer of Primobius, this initiative is a crucial step towards reducing the carbon footprint associated with battery production, which currently leaves a significant CO2 legacy during the manufacturing phase.
By recovering and reusing high-purity battery materials, Primobius and Mercedes Benz aim to create a sustainable cycle for EV batteries, addressing the environmental challenges associated with the rapidly growing electric mobility sector.
