BMW Group, Encory launch 'direct recycling’ of batteries

The Munich-based BMW Group has officially commissioned its Cell Recycling Competence Center (CRCC) for battery cells in Salching, in the Straubing-Bogen district of Lower Bavaria. 

This marks a step forward in the group implementing its process referred to as “direct recycling.” The project is a collaboration between the BMW Group and Encory GmbH. 

The group says its direct recycling procedure allows residual materials from battery cell production, including whole battery cells, to be mechanically dismantled. The raw materials are not entirely reverted to their original state but are instead “directly” fed back into the cell production cycle.  

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At the CRCC, the company says this procedure will be scaled up and introduced in stages. The group expects the annual volume of battery cell material recycled to be in the mid-double-digit metric ton range. The recovered raw materials will be reused in pilot production of battery cells at the company’s Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf. 

“Our direct recycling process puts us at the forefront of the industry,” says Markus Fallböhmer, senior vice president of battery production at BMW AG. “This technology has tremendous potential to further optimize battery cell production.”  

The BMW Group says it consolidates its battery cell expertise at its competence centers in Munich, Parsdorf and Salching. The Battery Cell Competence Center (BCCC) in the north of Munich offers labs and research facilities for developing the battery cells for next-generation high-voltage batteries and producing them in small quantities.  

The company says the most promising battery cell from the BCCC will be scaled up for series processes on a pilot line at the CMCC Parsdorf. Recycling of surplus material from pilot production in Parsdorf will take place at the new CRCC in Salching.  

The recovered raw materials will then be reused in cell production, BMW Group says, ensuring short distances between all Competence Centers and preventing valuable raw materials from being lost.  

Following the BCCC and CMCC, the company says the CRCC represents the next step in the BMW Group’s battery cell strategy on the road to the circular economy.