Automotive major Mercedes-Benz has established a battery recycling plant in Kuppenheim, southern Germany to complete the battery recycling loop. 

This facility introduces an integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical process, which is expected to achieve a recovery rate exceeding 96%.  

The plant’s approach allows for the retrieval of materials such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt, which are essential for new batteries in upcoming all-electric Mercedes-Benz models. 

Mercedes-Benz said it has invested tens of millions of euros into the construction of this plant, bolstering value creation within Germany.  

The technology partner for this venture is Primobius, a collaboration between the German SMS group and Australian Neometals.  

The facility’s development has also been supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, as part of a research project with three German universities, examining the recycling process chain, logistics, and reintegration strategies. 

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The Mercedes-Benz battery recycling plant can recover 2,500 tonnes of materials annually, enabling the production of over 50,000 battery modules for new all-electric vehicles.  

Mercedes-Benz Group chairman of the board of management Ola Källenius said: “Mercedes-Benz has set itself the goal of building the most desirable cars in a sustainable way. As a pioneer in automotive engineering, Europe’s first integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical battery recycling factory marks a key milestone towards enhancing raw-materials sustainability.  

“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.” 

Germany Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: “The future of the automobile is electric, and batteries are an essential component of this. To produce batteries in a resource-conserving and sustainable way, recycling is also key.  

“The circular economy is a growth engine and, at the same time, an essential building block for achieving our climate targets! I congratulate Mercedes-Benz for its courage and foresight shown by this investment in Kuppenheim. Germany remains a cutting-edge market for new and innovative technologies.” 

The news comes as Mercedes-Benz Group reported sales of 594,600 cars and vans during the third quarter of 2024, marking a 3% decrease from the same period in 2023.