According to Recycling today, in a major step toward enhancing battery recycling and critical mineral recovery, Watercycle Technologies Ltd., a Manchester-based climate-tech company, has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Germany-based Primobius GmbH. This partnership brings together cutting-edge mineral extraction and recycling technologies to advance sustainable solutions for the lithium-ion battery industry.
Watercycle Technologies specializes in Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) and Crystallization, as well as recycling spent lithium-ion batteries. Primobius, a joint venture between Neometals Ltd. and SMS Group, focuses on recovering high-value battery materials while reducing carbon emissions. By combining expertise, the two companies aim to optimize battery recycling processes and reduce dependence on newly mined materials.
Why This Partnership Matters for the Battery Industry
The global lithium-ion battery market is expanding rapidly due to the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems, and portable electronics. However, this surge in demand also presents challenges:
- Resource Scarcity – Critical materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel are limited and costly to extract.
- Environmental Impact – Mining new raw materials leads to habitat destruction, water pollution, and high carbon emissions.
- End-of-Life Battery Waste – Millions of spent batteries enter waste streams, requiring efficient recycling solutions.
By integrating advanced recycling technologies, Watercycle Technologies and Primobius are working to close the loop in battery production, promoting a circular economy where materials are continuously recovered and reused.
A Synergy of Expertise: Combining Strengths for Maximum Impact
Primobius: A Two-Step Approach to Battery Recycling
Primobius has developed a two-step method for recovering valuable materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and production scrap. This process is designed to:
- Maximize resource recovery while minimizing waste.
- Lower carbon emissions compared to traditional recycling methods.
- Ensure compliance with international environmental and safety regulations.
Backed by 150 years of engineering expertise from SMS Group and Neometals’ leadership in battery materials production, Primobius offers scalable, high-performance recycling plants.
Watercycle Technologies: Revolutionizing Critical Mineral Extraction
Watercycle Technologies’ Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) and Crystallization technology provides a scalable, modular solution for extracting lithium from various sources, including:
- Spent lithium-ion batteries.
- Black mass from battery recycling.
- Wastewater and industrial byproducts.
By focusing on hydrometallurgical innovation, Watercycle Technologies enhances the recovery of critical minerals while ensuring environmental responsibility.
A Shared Vision for a Greener Future
Michel Siemon, CEO of Primobius, emphasized the significance of this alliance:
“As a lifecycle partner, we focus on delivering solutions that maximize resource recovery and reduce the environmental impact. Together, we are expanding our ecosystem and thus enhancing our ability to help clients meet their sustainability goals and drive positive change in the industry.”
Meanwhile, Sebastian Leaper, CEO and Co-founder of Watercycle Technologies, reinforced the company’s commitment to sustainability:
“This cooperation agreement reflects our shared vision with Primobius of leveraging advanced hydrometallurgical processes to drive innovation while ensuring environmental responsibility. We look forward to entering this partnership and collaborating on projects that support a circular economy.”
Both companies recognize the need to develop a more resilient battery supply chain while reducing reliance on newly mined materials.
The Future of Battery Recycling: Scaling Up Sustainable Solutions
This partnership will serve as a framework for future commercial collaborations, potentially leading to:
- Accelerated commercialization of lithium recovery technologies.
- Expanded recycling capacity for EV and industrial batteries.
- Greater adoption of sustainable materials extraction methods.
With the global push toward electrification and decarbonization, innovative battery recycling solutions will be critical in securing a stable and sustainable supply of essential minerals.
Conclusion: Leading the Way in Circular Battery Solutions
As concerns over battery waste, resource scarcity, and environmental impact continue to grow, partnerships like Watercycle Technologies and Primobius are playing a vital role in shaping the future of sustainable energy storage. By combining advanced lithium extraction, hydrometallurgical recycling, and innovative engineering solutions, this collaboration marks a significant step toward reducing dependence on newly mined raw materials, improving battery material recovery efficiency, and fostering a more sustainable, circular battery economy.
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