Volkswagen Group Components has opened the Group’s first plant for recycling electric car batteries in Salzgitter, Germany. As pilot operation starts, the Volkswagen Group takes another committed step towards sustainable end-to-end responsibility for the entire value chain of the electric vehicle battery.

The aim is the industrialised recovery of valuable raw materials such as lithium, nickel, manganese and cobalt in a closed loop together with aluminium, copper and plastics, achieving a recycling rate of more than 90% over the long term.

The unique feature of the Salzgitter plant is that it only recycles batteries that can no longer be used for other purposes. Before the battery is recycled, an analysis determines whether the battery is still powerful enough to be given a second life in mobile energy storage systems such as the flexible rapid charging station or a mobile charging robot.

Larger volumes of battery returns are not expected until the late 2020s at the earliest. Therefore, the plant has been designed to initially recycle up to 3,600 batteries per year during the pilot phase – this is the equivalent to approximately 1,500 tonnes.

End-to-end responsibility
In future, the system can be scaled up to handle larger quantities as the process is optimised. Thomas Schmall, member of the board of management of Volkswagen AG, Technical Division, said: “Volkswagen Group Components has achieved a further step in its sustainable end-to-end responsibility for the battery as a key component of electric mobility.

“We are implementing the sustainable recyclable materials cycle – and play a pioneering role in the industry for a future-oriented issue with great potential for climate protection and raw material supply.”

The innovative and CO₂-saving recycling process does not require energy-intensive melting in a blast furnace. The used battery systems are delivered, deep discharged and dismantled. The individual parts are ground into granules in the shredder and then dried.

In addition to aluminium, copper and plastics, the process also yields valuable “black powder”, which contains the important raw materials for batteries such as lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt, as well as graphite.

The separation and processing of the individual substances by hydrometallurgical processes ‒ using water and chemical agents ‒ is subsequently carried out by specialised partners.

Mark Möller, head of the business unit technical development and e-mobility, said: “As a consequence, essential components of old battery cells can be used to produce new cathode material. From research, we know that recycled battery raw materials are just as efficient as new ones.

“In future, we intend to support our battery cell production with the material we recover. Given that the demand for batteries and the corresponding raw materials will increase drastically, we can put every gram of recycled material to good use.”

The CO₂ savings are calculated at approximately 1.3 tonnes per 62kWh battery manufactured using cathodes made from recycled material and using green electricity.