BMW to open new generation EV battery recycling center

The BMW Group announced it is establishing a new Cell Recycling Competence Centre (CRCC) in Kirchroth, Lower Bavaria. The facility will focus on "direct recycling," a process designed to recover valuable materials from battery cells for use into the production cycle.

Direct recycling differs from traditional methods. It recovers materials like lithium, cobalt, graphite, and nickel in a form that allows them to be directly reused in new battery cells. The process it uses is said to eliminate the need for energy-intensive chemical or thermal processes, making it more efficient and environmentally friendly.

The CRCC will begin operations in the latter half of 2025. It will be equipped to recycle battery cell material in the mid-double-digit tonne range annually. Those will then be fed to BMW's production lines.

By minimizing waste, BMW aims to create a more sustainable model for electric vehicle production and ideally also reduce prices. Direct recycling will reduce reliance on raw materials and decrease the environmental footprint of battery production.

The new center will span 2,200 square meters and will be part of the Kirchroth-Nord industrial park. It will feature energy storage systems to capture and reuse electricity from discharged cells. The facility will be operated by Encory GmbH, a joint venture between the BMW Group and Interzero Group, and will employ around 20 people.

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