The BMW Group has taken another significant step in sustainable innovation by launching a pan-European partnership with SK tes, a global leader in technology lifecycle solutions, on November 1, 2024. This milestone initiative focuses on a closed-loop recycling system for high-voltage batteries, recovering critical materials like cobalt, nickel, and lithium to be reused in new battery production.
The collaboration builds on the success of BMW’s closed-loop recycling system established in China in 2022 and is set to expand to the US-Mexico-Canada region by 2026.
Recycling That Drives Innovation
The process begins with BMW’s high-voltage batteries, no longer fit for use, being delivered to SK tes. Using a sophisticated method, these batteries are mechanically shredded to extract concentrated metals, resulting in a material known as “black mass.” The valuable components—nickel, lithium, and cobalt—are then recovered through hydrometallurgy, a highly efficient chemical process.
These recycled materials will be integral to producing BMW’s next-generation GEN 6 drivetrain, underscoring the automaker’s commitment to resource conservation.
“Partnerships like this increase our efficiency in terms of the circular economy. In the closed-loop process, all partners mutually benefit from their experiences,” said Jörg Lederbauer, Vice President of Circular Economy at BMW AG.
Award-Winning Sustainability
SK tes’s recycling process has earned global recognition, including accolades like the Sustainability Service of the Year Award from the Business Intelligence Group and the UN Global Compact’s Apex Award. This collaboration aligns with BMW’s broader mission to integrate circular economy principles into its operations and supply chains.
Circular Economy: A Strategic Priority
BMW’s sustainability strategy is guided by the principles of Re:Think, Re:Duce, Re:Use, and Re:Cycle. From vehicle design to end-of-life recycling, the company aims to transform its vehicles into raw material sources for future production.
“The promotion of circular economy is an important strategic topic for the BMW Group,” said Nadine Philipp, Vice President Sustainability Supplier Network at BMW AG. “By closing material loops, we not only conserve resources but also enhance supply chain resilience.”
BMW’s Recycling and Dismantling Centre, operational for over 30 years, continues to spearhead advancements in parts and material recycling, further solidifying the automaker’s position as a leader in sustainable mobility.
