BMW Group will be building a battery Cell Recycling Competence Center (CRCC) in Kirchroth, Germany. At the facility, residual materials from battery cell production as well as complete battery cells will be recycled directly. BMW invests around ten million euros in the new center, the construction of which is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025.
Direct procedure to save energy
According to the company, in contrast to conventional processes, the raw materials will not be returned to their original state. Instead, the recovered raw materials will be used directly in the pilot production of battery cells. Energy-intensive chemical or thermal processes will be eliminated. The new CRCC is expected to recycle materials in the mid-double-digit tons per year.
Short distances from development to recycling
While BMW has full rights to the recycling process, the center will be built and operated by Encory GmbH, a joint venture by BMW and the Interzero Group, in which each partner holds a 50-percent stake. BMW concentrates its battery cell expertise in its competence centers in Munich and Parsdorf. The CRCC will complement both locations and enable short distances between development, production, and recycling, thus creating a closed value chain for battery cells.
