As electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity, the challenge of recycling their batteries efficiently is becoming more pressing. Traditional disposal methods are costly, lead to material losses, and require manual dismantling. CIRCULAR REPUBLIC’s concept project is tackling these challenges head-on by creating a circular economy network for EV battery recycling.
A collaborative value network
CIRCULAR REPUBLIC has brought together cell manufacturers, automakers (OEMs), recycling companies, and material producers to establish a seamless battery lifecycle, from production to end-of-life and back into new materials. By integrating automated dismantling technologies and scalable logistics, the initiative improves efficiency and lowers costs.
One of the project’s most significant achievements is recovering over 80 % of lithium from EV batteries, surpassing the 2031 EU target. By conserving critical raw materials, this initiative reduces dependency on virgin resources and promotes sustainable EV battery production.
By demonstrating how circular value flows benefit all players in the supply chain, this project is proving that battery recycling can be both economically viable and environmentally responsible.
While the project could demonstrate how disassembly, logistics and material recovery can be solved at industry scale, scaled production of new batteries based on recycled material still remains a challenge in Europe.nager Chemelot Circular Hub
