BMW announces: ‘We are creating a closed loop’ with $10 million battery facility

BMW, the well-known and well-renowned car brand has made the choice to go ‘all-in’ with the use of an innovative process which the company has stated is ‘direct recycling.’ This decision has been highlighted through the companies investment of an estimated $10.4 million in the method with a brand new Lower Bavaria facility.

The innovative new process known as direct recycling, operates through taking both whole battery cell and residual battery material, which has come from battery cell production, and breaks them down through a mechanical system. The materials are broken down “into their valuable components.” Once this part of the process is complete, it is possible to reinsert raw materials into the cell production cycle. These raw materials include substances such as lithium and cobalt.

The commitment that has now been made, builds on a previous success through using the method at BMW Competence Centres in Munich and Parsdorf. Doing this is an excellent step forwards, especially now that this practise has been transferred to a much larger scale. So far, BMW has made it clear that they are expecting recycling battery cell material within the mid-double-digit ton range on an annual basis.

Taking this step forwards is an excellent decision for BMW, as it is being completed at the same time as both scientists and companies are researching the best ways to recycle EV batteries.

BMW’s SVP of battery production, Markus Fallböhmer, commented, “From development and pilot production to recycling, we are creating a closed loop for battery cells.”

“Taking advantage of the short distances between our Competence Centres in Bavaria prevents valuable raw materials from being lost.”