MUNICH: BMW Group and Encory GmbH have taken a major step forward in direct recycling to recover battery raw materials, with the official commission of the new Cell Recycling Competence Centre (CRCC) in Salching, Lower Bavaria.
Direct recycling allows residual materials from battery cell production, including complete 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.
This direct recycling methodology, developed by BMW Group, therefore eliminates the conventional, energy-intensive chemical or thermal processing previously required.
At the new CRCC, direct recycling will be scaled up and introduced in stages until, once fully operational, the annual volume of battery cell material recycled will be in the mid-double-digit tonne range.
Going forward, the recovered raw materials will be directly reused in pilot production of battery cells at the company’s own Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre (CMCC) in Parsdorf.
“Our direct recycling process puts us at the forefront of the industry,” explains BMW AG senior vice president of battery production Markus Fallböhmer.
“This technology has tremendous potential to further optimise battery cell production.”
It is also conceivable that, for the first time, cell manufacturers could be enabled to use direct recycling in series production.
An existing hall in Salching in Lower Bavaria (Straubing-Bogen district) will be used for the new Competence Centre.
In addition to the production area and warehouse space of around 2,100 sq metre, the building also offers just under 350 sq metre of offices and break rooms, as well as photovoltaic systems on the roof.
While the Competence Centre will be built and operated by Encory, the intellectual property for the recycling method is fully owned by the BMW Group.
As a joint venture between the BMW Group and the Interzero Group, Encory will develop and implement logistics and consulting solutions, including for recovery, recycling and reconditioning of vehicle components.
Both partners hold a 50-percent stake in the company. The new Competence Centre will employ about 20 people.
