TSR and BASF partner to advance EV battery recycling in Europe, strengthening circular economy, supply security, and sustainable material recovery systems.
TSR Group and BASF have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the recycling of electric vehicle (EV) batteries across Europe. This collaboration reflects a growing effort within the region to establish a more sustainable and self-sufficient battery value chain, particularly as demand for EVs continues to rise.
Under this agreement, both companies will work together on several key stages of battery recycling. These include the safe dismantling and discharging of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, followed by their conversion into “black mass,” a material that contains valuable metals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. Beyond these core activities, the partners are also exploring additional opportunities to deepen their cooperation. These may involve processing metal-rich by-products generated during black mass production and improving logistics systems for the collection and transportation of used batteries.
Through this initiative, TSR Group is advancing its goal of creating a closed-loop system for battery metals, ensuring that critical raw materials are recovered and reused within Europe. A significant part of this effort is carried out via its investment arm BLC, a joint venture with Rhenus Automotive. This venture focuses on handling the early stages of battery recycling, particularly dismantling and discharging, which are essential for preparing batteries for further processing. TSR also contributes its extensive expertise in metal recovery, its well-established recycling processes, and a wide logistics network that includes more than 190 certified waste management facilities across Europe.
Meanwhile, BASF brings to the partnership its advanced capabilities in battery materials and recycling technologies. The company operates a black mass production facility at its Schwarzheide site in Germany, which plays a crucial role in extracting valuable components from spent batteries. By partnering with TSR, BASF is expanding its recycling ecosystem, gaining access to new markets and strengthening its position along the entire battery recycling value chain.
Executives from both companies emphasize that this collaboration goes beyond technical innovation. According to TSR leadership, recovering battery metals is essential for ensuring Europe’s industrial competitiveness and reducing reliance on external sources for critical materials. By keeping these resources within the European economy, the region can enhance supply security and support long-term industrial growth.
BASF representatives also highlight the importance of strong partnerships in accelerating the development of a robust battery recycling industry. By combining their respective strengths, the two companies aim to create efficient, integrated solutions that enable customers to sustainably manage battery life cycles and close material loops effectively.
Overall, this partnership represents a significant step toward building a resilient circular economy for electromobility in Europe, addressing both environmental and strategic industrial priorities.
