On 19 September 2024 AE Elemental, a joint venture between US-based Ascend Elements and Poland-based Elemental Strategic Metals, opened EV (electric vehicles) batteries recycling plant in Zawiercie, marking a significant step forward in Europe’s EV battery supply chain. This newest and one of the largest battery recycling facilities in Europe has the capacity to process 12,000 metric tons of used Li-ion batteries annually, equivalent to approximately 28,000 EV battery packs.
“We have come significantly closer to the position of a global leader in the market of recycling materials necessary to produce EV batteries,” said Michał Zygmunt, CEO of Elemental Strategic Metals. He also emphasized that besides launching the state-of-the-art industrial processing facility the JV will utilise an extensive network of European waste collection points, as Elemental Strategic Metals has 35 subsidiaries in Europe, but also in Asia, Norh America and Africa. Zawiercie plant will disassemble, discharge, and shred EV batteries to create the so-called black mass used in production of new battery materials. It also plans to add commercial-scale lithium extraction capabilities by 2026.
“This is a significant milestone for Ascend Elements, representing our first commercial-scale battery recycling facility in Europe. Expanding into Europe will allow us to better service our customers locally and help the industry comply with new EU rules requiring recycled material in new batteries” said Mike O’Kronley, CEO of Ascend Elements
As demand for electric vehicles grows, lithium-ion battery recycling is becoming increasingly important in the battery materials supply chain. The new facility in Zawiercie aims to contribute to meeting EU requirements for recycled content in new batteries by 2030 while also reducing the environmental impact of battery production and disposal. The joint venture is also considering construction of even larger lithium-ion battery recycling facility in Germany with a capacity to recycle up to 25,000 metric tons of batteries per year.
