Porsche and the recycling firm Cylib have successfully produced pilot battery cells where 100% of the cathode active materials—lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese—are sourced from recycled battery packs. This achievement marks the third phase of a project initiated last year, demonstrating a closed-loop recycling process on a pilot scale.
The recycling process utilizes a water-based method at facilities in Germany, which began operations in May. Initial tests have confirmed the technical viability of these materials, with further results expected by the end of the year. Porsche aims to integrate these recycled materials into mass-produced battery cells starting in 2028.
The pilot project significantly exceeds upcoming European regulatory requirements. By August 2031, new EV batteries must contain only 6% recycled lithium, 6% nickel, and 16% cobalt. Porsche Ventures, the automaker's venture arm, led a €55 million funding round for Cylib in May 2024, with participation from Bosch Ventures.
Cylib, a spin-off from RWTH Aachen University, claims its technology recovers over 90% of materials. Despite these technical advancements, the industry faces a supply challenge due to the limited volume of end-of-life batteries currently available in Europe, as most electric vehicles remain in active service.
