Back to Battery, a Dutch climate tech startup focused on recycling used lithium-ion batteries, secured funding from Graduate Entrepreneur. This development supports sustainable practices in the battery industry and reflects growing interest in environmentally responsible technology solutions. The initiative reinforces a broader trend toward circular economy efforts while offering potential economic benefits for technical innovation in Europe.
Similar reports have noted the challenges arising from increasing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Coverage from various sources highlights issues in battery material shortages and evolving EU requirements. Additional accounts underline the industry’s pursuit of viable recycling methods as a response to regulatory measures and resource scarcity.
Strategic Capital Injection
Graduate Entrepreneur, an initiative founded by alumni from Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus MC, and Delft University of Technology, allocated investment backing to Back to Battery.
At Graduate Entrepreneur, we believe in the power of innovation to solve critical challenges. We are proud to support Back to Battery in their mission to contribute to a more sustainable future for the battery industry and strengthen the circular economy.
Such financial support aims to stimulate advanced research and development toward efficient recycling processes while empowering regional entrepreneurial networks.
Innovative Recycling Process
Back to Battery employs a proprietary hydrometallurgical process designed to recover over 95% of essential materials from black mass, the byproduct of battery dismantling. Trials conducted at TU Delft have demonstrated high material purity, supporting the potential for a scalable solution. The method uses regenerative chemicals to reduce waste and lower energy consumption, distinguishing it from traditional pyrometallurgical techniques.
Growing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy intensifies the need for efficient battery recycling. New EU regulations restrict the export of black mass outside Europe starting in 2025, mandating local recycling facilities. Plans to develop a bench-scale plant and scale operations to a full facility by 2027 address both legislative requirements and market needs.
Founders Steven Lans, Cyril Mambote, and Pieter ter Kuile drive the company’s efforts to establish a competitive local recycling model. Back to Battery, accessible via their official website, continues to explore pathways that convert battery waste into valuable raw materials.
The initiative illustrates a careful balance between economic viability and environmental responsibilities. Stakeholders are advised to monitor policy impacts and technological refinements that support the emerging local recycling ecosystem, offering practical insights for future investment and sustainability strategies.
