Cylib recycles lithium carbonate from used NMC batteries
According to the German startup, the material produced at Cylib’s pilot plant using its proprietary OLiC technology meets stringent specification requirements. The material has now been qualified by a large, unnamed international battery manufacturer, a critical step towards using recycled lithium carbonate in new electric vehicle batteries. However, it remains unclear whether and to what extent Cylib will become a regular supplier to this battery producer in the future.
Cylib’s OLiC technology (Optimised Lithium and Graphite Recovery) is a water-based process designed to recover lithium and graphite from production waste and black mass. The lithium carbonate now recovered for the battery manufacturer serves as a precursor for cathode production, a key component, particularly in LFP batteries.
“Working closely with a leading battery manufacturer and meeting their strict specifications proves our water-based OLiC (Optimised Lithium and Graphite Recovery) technology, delivers commercial-grade circular materials. Our recycled lithium carbonate is now going into new EV batteries – the loop is closed,” says Dr Lilian Schwich, Co-Founder and Co-CEO. The project demonstrates that Europe can establish a truly circular battery value chain, Schwich adds: “By recovering critical materials locally, we reduce import dependence while securing supply for European battery manufacturers.”
Last summer, Cylib, in collaboration with materials group Syensqo, unveiled a process to produce battery-grade lithium from used EV batteries for reuse in new EV batteries. This process specifically yields lithium hydroxide, the preferred form of lithium for most electric vehicle battery manufacturers.
Cylib is regarded as a major hope for battery recycling in Germany and Europe. The start-up, spun off from RWTH Aachen University, has already secured €55 million from investors, including Porsche Ventures and Bosch Ventures. Following the inauguration of its pilot plant in 2023, Cylib is now constructing its first industrial recycling plant at Chempark Dormagen in North Rhine-Westphalia, scheduled to commence operations in 2026. The plant is expected to process 30,000 tonnes of batteries annually, achieving a material recovery rate of 90 per cent.
In December, it was announced that Cylib had received €63.4 million in funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action to finance the second expansion phase of its new plant in Dormagen. This funding will double the plant’s planned total capacity to 60,000 tonnes per year – equivalent to 140,000 electric vehicle batteries.
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