With an annual processing capacity of up to 15,000 tonnes of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and production scrap—equivalent to around 40,000 electric vehicle batteries—BASF’s facility is now one of the largest of its kind in Europe.
BASF
has officially launched commercial operations at its state-of-the-art Black Mass plant in Schwarzheide (Germany) - marking a major milestone in its battery recycling strategy.
This development represents a key step forward for the European battery industry, aligning with the EU’s circular economy goals and supporting greater self-sufficiency in raw materials. Black Mass, a critical output of mechanical battery treatment, contains significant quantities of essential metals including lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese. These metals can be chemically recovered and reused in the production of new cathode active materials (CAM), thereby reducing reliance on primary raw materials and lowering the carbon footprint of battery production.
“Our new Black Mass plant is further evidence of our commitment to the battery materials and recycling industry—one of the most important growth sectors for the chemical industry and BASF. This facility strengthens our position as the preferred battery recycling partner across the European value chain and supports our customers in boosting raw materials independence and meeting the EU Battery Regulation,” has stated Daniel Schönfelder, President of BASF’s Battery Materials division.
BASF’s European recycling offering spans the entire battery value chain, from the collection and dismantling of end-of-life batteries to Black Mass production and refining. The company leverages a robust network of partners alongside its own facilities. In addition to the new Black Mass plant, BASF operates Europe’s first fully automated CAM production facility in Schwarzheide, a prototype metal refinery for recycling, and one of the continent’s largest Black Mass storage sites.