The Cell Recycling Competence Centre (CRCC), which BMW is building in the Straubing-Bogen district of Lower Bavaria, will use direct recycling – a process that enables residual materials from battery production, as well as whole battery cells, to be mechanically dismantled into their valuable components, which are then used in the pilot production of new battery cells.
“The new Cell Recycling Competence Centre brings another element to our in-house expertise: From development and pilot production to recycling, we are creating a closed loop for battery cells,” said Markus Fallböhmer, SVP Battery Production at BMW.
The company is investing around €10m (US$10.5m) in the new Competence Centre, with installation work at the building set to begin in the second half of 2025.
Battery cell raw materials such as lithium and cobalt, but also graphite, manganese, nickel and copper, drive up the cost of cell production. Responsible use of these resources is essential from both environmental and economic perspectives.
Unlike usual methods, with direct recycling the raw materials from battery cells are not reverted to their original state but are instead fed back into the cell production cycle. This method eliminates the need for energy-intensive chemical or thermal processing. The recycling method was developed by experts at the Competence Centres in Munich and Parsdorf. At the new CRCC, the new process will be implemented on a larger scale.
The new CRCC, spans 2,200 m² and will be integrated into the expansion of an existing building in the Kirchroth-Nord industrial park. Electrical energy from the discharged cells will be captured in energy storage systems within the building and used to operate the recycling systems. The energy concept will be rounded out by photovoltaic systems installed on the roof of the building.
The Competence Centre will be built and operated by Encory – a joint venture of the BMW Group and Interzero Group. Both partners hold a 50% stake and around 20 people will be employed in the new Competence Center.
