Cylib, a prominent German battery recycling company, has successfully secured funding to establish a lithium-ion recycling facility in North Rhine-Westphalia. The funding aligns with the European commitment to sustainable practices in addressing rising demands for battery materials. The facility aims to enhance Europe’s supply chain independence against the backdrop of a booming electric vehicle market.
Cylib’s journey can be traced back to 2022, leveraging background research from RWTH Aachen University. It has expanded rapidly, employing over 120 people, and earning substantial industry backing, including notable investors like Porsche Ventures and Bosch Ventures. In its Series A funding round, Cylib attracted €55M, marking the largest European investment in battery recycling to date.
How Is Cylib Meeting Europe’s Battery Material Needs?
The core of Cylib’s innovative approach is its proprietary OLiC (Optimised Lithium & Graphite Recovery) process. This water-based method efficiently recaptures over 90% of critical elements such as lithium, graphite, and nickel from various battery-related materials. Compared to traditional mining, this process substantially lowers carbon emissions by 80%, contributing markedly to a circular economy within the battery sector.
What Impact Will The New Facility Have?
Scheduled to commence operations in 2027, the new CHEMPARK Dormagen facility will play a significant role in recycling operations, processing an estimated 140,000 electric vehicle batteries annually. This will significantly diminish Europe’s reliance on primary resource extraction, addressing both environmental and supply chain sustainability concerns.
Dr. Lilian Schwich, co-founder and co-CEO of Cylib, emphasized the broader significance of the funding:
“We are deeply grateful to the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the European Union for funding this project and supporting our mission to produce advanced materials for sustainable batteries and resilient European value chains.”
The company envisions this facility as a crucial element in meeting the burgeoning demand for sustainable battery materials in a shifting global landscape.
The support from the ERDF/JTF programme highlights a strategic investment in sustainable resource management. By securing €26.1M under the “Produktives.NRW” initiative, the facility not only promises technological advancement but also signifies a regional commitment to confronting upcoming challenges in battery material sourcing and recycling.
Dr. Schwich also reflected on the recognition of their technological advancements and collaborative efforts:
“This validates our superior technology and advanced engineering capabilities, whilst recognising our team’s achievements to date.”
With this support, Cylib is poised to be at the forefront of fostering a sustainable future for battery development and recycling operations across Europe.
Cylib’s progress illustrates a crucial shift towards more sustainable practices in battery recycling. As electric vehicle adoption continues to increase, companies like Cylib play a pivotal role in supporting Europe’s transition to a more environmentally friendly energy landscape. This strategy not only helps reduce waste but also strengthens local economies by providing raw materials without environmental degradation linked to traditional mining methods.
