BMW opens centre for direct recycling of battery cells
The Cell Recycling Competence Center allows residual materials from battery cell production to be directed back into the cell production cycle
The new Cell Recycling Competence Center (CRCC) in Salching, Lower Bavaria, has been commissioned to mark a major step forward in implementing innovative direct recycling as a joint project between the BMW Group and Encory GmbH.
Innovative direct recycling enables reuse of battery raw materials
Direct recycling allows residual materials from battery cell production, including complete battery cells, to be mechanically dismantled. The raw materials are not entirely reverted to their original state, but are instead fed back into the cell production cycle. This direct recycling methodology, developed by experts from the BMW Group, reduces the conventional, energy-intensive chemical or thermal processing previously required to process batteries. At the new CRCC, direct recycling will be scaled up and introduced in stages until, once fully operational the annual volume of battery cell material recycled will be in the mid-double-digit tonne range. Going forward, the recovered raw materials will be directly reused in pilot production of battery cells at the company's own Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf.
Direct recycling: A process for the future
"Our direct recycling process puts us at the forefront of the industry," explains Markus Fallböhmer, senior vice president of Battery Production at BMW AG. "This technology has tremendous potential to further optimize battery cell production." It is also conceivable that, for the first time, cell manufacturers can use direct recycling in series production.
Joint venture runs Competence Center
An existing hall in Salching, Lower Bavaria, will be used for the new Competence Center. In addition to the production area and warehouse space of around 2,100 square metres, the building also offers just under 350 square metres of offices and break rooms, as well as photovoltaic systems on the roof.
While the Competence Center will be built and operated by Encory GmbH, the intellectual property for the recycling method is fully owned by the BMW Group. As a joint venture between the BMW Group and the Interzero Group, Encory will develop and implement logistics and consulting solutions, including for recovery, recycling, and reconditioning of vehicle components.
Circular economy at the BMW Group
The BMW Group views the circular economy as one of the key issues in shaping more resource-efficient mobility. Its approach is aimed at finding the best ways to keep materials within the circular economy — ensuring that resources are not lost, but retain their value for long-term use.
The BMW Group applies the principles of Re:Think, Re:Duce, Re:Use and Re:Cycle. From vehicle design and production, to recycling and reuse, everything is geared towards ensuring that vehicles can serve as a source of raw vehicles at the end of their use phase. The BMW Group is taking steps to increase the percentage of recycled materials. It returns selected production residues to the material supplier or material processor, enabling their recovery and reintroduction into a new manufacturing process. In this way, recycled and reused materials are already making their way into BMW Group vehicles today. The circular economy requires holistic thinking — from product design, all the way through to vehicle recycling.
