BASF, having established Europe’s first integrated facility for battery material production and battery recycling in Schwarzheide, Germany, will oversee and coordinate the comprehensive recycling procedure for the lithium-ion batteries employed in Iveco Group’s electric vans, buses, and trucks.
Iveco Group has officially designated BASF, the largest chemical supplier in the automotive industry globally, as its inaugural partner in implementing a comprehensive recycling solution for the lithium-ion batteries utilized in the Group’s electric vehicles. This strategic decision aligns seamlessly with Iveco Group’s overarching circular economy strategy, founded on the principles of the 4R Framework – Repair, Refurbish, Repurpose, and Recycle.
The primary objective is to extend the lifespan of batteries while simultaneously mitigating their overall environmental impact. In adherence to the Extended Producer Responsibility policy, which places the onus on producers for the entire lifecycle of their products, Iveco Group is committed to overseeing the battery life cycle from design to end-of-life.
BASF, having recently inaugurated Europe’s inaugural co-located centre for battery material production and battery recycling in Schwarzheide, Germany, will spearhead the orchestration and management of the complete recycling process for lithium-ion batteries deployed in Iveco Group’s electric vans, buses, and trucks. The comprehensive agreement encompasses battery collection, packaging, transportation, and recycling operations spanning various European countries, including but not limited to France, Germany, and the UK.
Post-collection, BASF will employ mechanical processes to transform the batteries into black mass, from which critical raw materials such as nickel, cobalt, and lithium can be extracted and recuperated for the production of new batteries. This initiative will establish a complete battery recycling value chain in Europe, contributing to the localized provision of recycled metals with a reduced carbon footprint for the burgeoning battery industry.
Angela Qu, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Iveco Group, emphasized the significance of lifecycle thinking as a strategic sustainability priority. She stated that BASF’s shared commitment to this approach, coupled with its expansive battery collection network and recycling capabilities in Europe, positions the collaboration as instrumental in closing the loop from end-of-life batteries to new ones. This cooperative effort is anticipated to facilitate the establishment of a circular economy, in line with Iveco Group’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Dr Daniel Schonfelder, President of BASF’s Catalysts division, overseeing the company’s battery materials and battery recycling business, remarked that the partnership with Iveco Group marks a pivotal milestone for their battery recycling business, extending their activities into the realm of commercial vehicles. He emphasized the significance of strengthening their European collection network and making strides in a developing market, with the ultimate goal of supporting the European market in meeting the ambitious circular economy-focused policy requirements outlined in the EU Battery Regulation.
