BASF Catalysts offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products including advanced battery materials. BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products, including advanced battery materials. We believe mobility’s future lies in more than just products. So where others come to a full stop, we’re just getting started—by leveraging the full power of BASF to continually advance our comprehensive package of sustainable solutions that enable us to travel further, as well as above and beyond. A leading supplier of high performance cathode active materials (CAM) for electrified vehicles to battery producers and automotive OEMs around the world. Protecting the air we breathe from harmful emissions through innovation. BASF leverages unsurpassed expertise in the development of emission control technologies for a wide range of market applications. BASF is committed to advancing and promoting environmentally-sound technologies to achieve a sustainable future in aviation. Offering 50 years of experience developing intelligent solutions for air quality over a wide range of applications — enabling clean air for a healthier, more sustainable future. As the global leader in chemical catalysts, BASF develops cutting-edge catalyst chemistry with our customers’ needs in mind. We want to contribute to a world that provides a viable future with enhanced quality of life for everyone. We do so by creating chemistry for our customers and society and by making the best use of available resources. BASF offers the widest portfolio of adsorbent technologies for a broad spectrum of applications in industries such as refining, petrochemical, chemical, and gas processing. Syngas, produced from natural gas or coal, is a key intermediate in the emerging technologies for gas-to-liquids (GTL), methanol-to-olefins, coal-to-liquids and fuel cells. At BASF, our Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalyst and additive offerings together with our expert technical services build the right solution to create value within any unit’s constraints. Paving the way toward a brighter, more secure future. Manufacturing products for sustainable solutions, reducing emissions from our processes, and using non-fossil fueled energy sources – all of these efforts help lead BASF on a continuing journey of sustainability. BASF Natural Gas experts have a diverse portfolio of products to custom design a solution and help you meet your Natural Gas treatment needs. BASF has been serving the natural gas treatment market for over 60 years. Innovative, step-change technology with dual-purpose performance: removal of heavy hydrocarbons and water to cryogenic specifications in a single unit. With more than 150 years of experience in metal sourcing, trading, and hedging, we’ve built tangible results for our industrial customers. With more than 100 years of experience in recycling materials, BASF’s end-to-end recycling program is known and trusted around the globe. As a leader in precious-metal thermocouples for many years, BASF recently applied its technological expertise to optical-based temperature measurement. Developing and producing pharmaceutical ingredients for more than 75 years, enabling us to provide the solutions you need to meet today's and tomorrow's challenges for your pharmaceutical business. Find the latest news and media information for BASF’s Catalysts division, headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, USA, the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. Explore this collection of resources to learn more about our innovative research and Catalyst solutions.
BASF Catalysts | Facility Syngas

Choose your language

This section is available in the following languages: English

Recovering valuable metals in Schwarzheide: BASF has started prototype metal refinery for battery recycling

  • Innovative technology extracts lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and copper from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and battery production scrap
  • Plant represents further milestone in building Europe’s first co-located center of battery material production and battery recycling in Schwarzheide

BASF has successfully started operating its prototype metal refinery for battery recycling in Schwarzheide, Germany. The state-of-the-art plant allows for the development of operational procedures and the optimization of innovative battery recycling technology, processing end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and battery production scrap. This will facilitate optimal recovery of valuable metals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and copper when scaling up the technology. The prototype metal refinery is another milestone in the construction of Europe’s first co-located center of battery materials production and battery recycling in Schwarzheide. It complements BASF’s existing cathode active materials plant and the battery recycling plant for the production of black mass, which is scheduled to start operations later this year.

Recognizing the strategic importance of securing a reliable supply of critical battery raw materials, BASF is committed to recovering valuable metals to increase the self-sufficiency of Europe and comply with the EU Battery Regulation. At the same time, battery recycling improves the sustainability of electric vehicles as recycled metals have a significantly lower carbon footprint.

"With the expected rapid growth of the electric vehicle market, battery recycling provides competitive and sustainable access to critical metals," said Dr. Daniel Schönfelder, President of BASF’s Catalysts division, who is also responsible for the company’s battery materials and battery recycling business. "We will use the extracted metals to enable a truly local circular economy for the battery value chain."

BASF is committed to further developing and scaling up its metal refining technology, with the goal of establishing a commercial-scale refinery in Europe in the next years. This will strengthen BASF’s footprint in Europe, complementing a strong collection network for end-of-life batteries and battery production scrap, black mass production as well as battery materials production to accelerate the transition to a circular electromobility in Europe and support the development of a sustainable battery materials ecosystem.

Sarah Katharina Mueller

BASF Media Relations (Europe)

+49 173 3099 741

Send email
Thumbnail for: P122 prototype plant start up GERMAN

P122 prototype plant start up GERMAN

pdf (115.162 KB)
Thumbnail for: P122e prototype plant start up ENGLISH

P122e prototype plant start up ENGLISH

pdf (122.152 KB)
Batt 9604

BASF has successfully started operating its prototype metal refinery for battery recycling in Schwarzheide, Germany.

jpg (182.813 KB)