Neometals (ASX: NMT) has introduced it would be a part of forces with Mercedes-Benz subsidiary LICULAR GmbH on the design and building of a proposed lithium-ion battery recycling plant in southern Germany.
The undertaking shall be carried out by way of battery recycling three way partnership Primobius GmbH, established in mid-2020 between Neometals and German plant producer SMS Group to commercialise an environment-friendly recycling answer for end-of-life and scrap lithium-ion-batteries.
The Primobius recycling course of presents scaleable, environment friendly, sustainable recycling which is able to lowering the carbon dioxide footprint for individuals within the lithium-ion battery provide chain.
Battery recycling foray
The brand new plant shall be primarily based at Mercedes’ operations base in Kuppenheim and can mark the German automaker’s foray into battery recycling, making it much less reliant on uncooked materials provides sooner or later.
The recovered materials shall be fed again into the recycling loop to provide greater than 50,000 battery modules for the Mercedes’ EQ (electrical intelligence) vary of autos.
Neometals expects the plant could have a nominal capability of 2500 tonnes every year (or as much as 10 tonnes per day) and shall be in-built two phases, with the primary stage of mechanical dismantling commencing subsequent yr.
The co-operation settlement shall be formalised between Primobius and LICULAR following negotiations below an earlier casual non-binding memorandum of understanding.
Talks progressing
Neometals managing director Chris Reed mentioned he was happy with how the talks with Mercedes had been progressing.
“We’re proud that one of many biggest names within the car business has introduced its intention to companion with Primobius and made a transparent dedication in the direction of sustainable battery recycling,” he mentioned.
“Lithium battery recycling helps conservation of assets, decarbonisation and provide chain resilience and we’re excited to help Mercedes in its objective to re-use recovered supplies.”
Sustainable technique
The recycling plant undertaking serves as a key factor of Mercedes’ sustainable enterprise technique, with a dedication to carbon dioxide neutrality and a give attention to an all-electric automobile line-up.
The corporate mentioned final week {that a} “closed loop of recyclable supplies” could be essential to lowering useful resource consumption.
“With our new recycling plant at Kuppenheim, we’re rising the recycling price to greater than 96% whereas increasing our experience within the space of battery worth creation,” it mentioned.
“Via focused collaborative ventures with high-tech companions in China and the US, we’re globalising our battery recycling technique and taking a decisive step towards closing the recycling loop in e-mobility.”