Mercedes-Benz Begins Construction of Battery Recycling Plant
Mercedes-Benz has begun construction of its planned pilot sustainable battery recycling factory in southern Germany in its bid to make BEV products greener than they are at present.
The company has laid the foundation stone for the plant in Kuppenheim and is expecting it to contribute to the production of more than 50,000 battery modules for new BEVs, Reuters reports. Recycled batteries will be sources from test vehicles and start-up batteries.
Should the pilot plant prove a success, production volumes could be scaled up in the medium to long term. Commissioning for the first stage of the plant, mechanical dismantling of batteries, is scheduled to begin in December this year. Subject to talks with the public authorities, the factory should be completed a few months later.
The plant already runs a CO2-neutral operation with solar and green electricity. Its construction is being funded as part of a scientific research project by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection.
Jörg Burzer, management board member of Mercedes-Benz in production and supply chain management, said: “We are sending an important signal of innovative strength in Baden-Württemberg and Germany for sustainable electromobility.”
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
