Porsche-Backed Startup Plans Major Battery Recycling Facility to Enhance Europe’s EV Sector

A major battery recycling plant is under construction in Germany by Cylib, a startup aimed at minimizing waste from expired EV batteries. Supported by Porsche and Bosch, the facility is set to cover 236,000 square feet and is backed by an investment of over €180 million ($200 million).

Located in Dormagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, the plant will be Europe’s largest end-to-end lithium-ion battery recycling facility. Cylib plans to process about 30,000 metric tons of used batteries annually, surpassing the current largest plant, Hydrovolt, which handles 12,000 metric tons per year.

The recycled batteries produced at Cylib’s plant are anticipated to supply Porsche, which contributed to Cylib’s recent €55 million funding round. The specifics of Porsche’s involvement are still being finalized.

Battery recycling is a critical focus for the European Union as it seeks to support the sustainable growth of the electric vehicle industry. Founded in 2022 by Lilian Schwich, Gideon Schwich, and Paul Sabarny, Cylib employs water-based techniques to recover lithium and graphite from old batteries.

With the new facility planned to begin operations in 2026, Cylib aims to set the stage for further expansion in Germany and across Europe, enhancing the region’s battery infrastructure.