BMW calls its innovative process developed in-house direct recycling. During this process, the elements left over during the production of high-voltage battery cells, as well as the whole cells intended for recycling, are mechanically separated into their elements.
The raw materials thus recovered are directly recycled in production. For the time being, of course, the batteries intended for series models are not made from these recycled materials, the technology is currently in the experimental phase.
However, it is already so promising that BMW is dedicating a separate center to the application of this technology. The cell recycling competence center (Cell Recycling Competence Center; CRCC), to be built in the city of Kirchroth in Bavaria with an investment of 10 million euros (HUF 4.1 billion), will start operating in the second half of 2025.
The method primarily recovers lithium and cobalt, but graphite, manganese, nickel and copper are also raw materials that represent a significant item in production costs.
What makes the process novel is that, in contrast to energy-intensive chemical or heating processes that restore the materials to their original state, the materials extracted as a result of mechanical disintegration can go directly back into production.
If the project successfully passes the pilot phase and large-scale recycling can begin, according to BMW’s calculations, several tens of tons of raw materials can be returned to the production of batteries every year.
Source: www.vezess.hu
