Globalpu News:
● Processes 15,000 tons of end-of-life EV batteries and production waste annually
● BASF will enable closed-loop construction from end-of-life battery recycling to production of cathode active materials (CAM) for new batteries, driving a circular economy and reducing CO2 footprint
● The new unit will be built to the highest environmental, health and safety (EHS) standards
BASF will build a commercial production facility for black powder in Schwarzheide, Germany, whose raw materials will be derived from battery recycling and production waste. This investment further strengthens BASF's Schwarzheide site as a center for the production and recycling of cathode active materials (CAM). With many electric vehicle manufacturers and battery producers in Central Europe, Schwarzheide is an ideal location for building a battery recycling-related industry. The investment will provide around 30 new production jobs and is scheduled to start in early 2024.
The first step in the battery recycling process is mechanical processing (of used batteries) to obtain a substance called "black powder". These black powders contain a large amount of important metals used in the production of cathode active materials: lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese, and they will be used in BASF's planned new commercial hydro-smelting plant around 2025 to realize the recycling of used batteries.
Dr. Peter Schumacher, President of BASF's Catalysts Business Unit Schuhmacher: “With this investment in a commercial battery recycling black powder production unit, we are taking another step towards establishing a complete BASF battery recycling value chain. This allows us to optimize the end-to-end recycling process and reduce CO2 footprint. Closing the loop from end-of-life battery recycling to production of new battery cathode active materials will support our customers along the battery value chain, reduce reliance on directly mined mineral raw materials and contribute to a circular economy.”
Battery recycling is an important part of reducing the CO2 footprint of electric vehicles and is key to implementing the ambitious circular economy promotion policies in the proposed draft of the EU's New Battery Law. The policy also covers lithium-ion battery recycling efficiency, as well as material recovery and recycling content targets for nickel, cobalt and lithium. 
