- As the BMW Group gears up towards creating more sustainable circular economies for its future operations, another milestone has been reached, after announcing a pan-European partnership with sustainable technology services firm, SK tes.
- The partnership, which was formed back in November 2024, will allow for the recycling of high-voltage EV batteries, allowing raw secondary materials like cobalt, nickel, and lithium to be sent directly back into the supply chain.
- The move matches similar recycling agreements the group has made with other worldwide partners.
BMW amps up its circular economy practices
Under the agreement, high-voltage battery units resulting from BMW Group’s European development, production, and markets that are no longer fit for use will be sent to SK tes for recycling – with the firm helping to extract valuable raw materials such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium. These materials will be used in future ‘Neue Klasse’ EVs from the brand, which will use a new sixth generation electric drivetrain.
The move is one of several similar ones made by the OEM recently. BMW already has some experience in recycling high-voltage battery systems, thanks to a scheme launched in its BMW Brilliance Automotive JV in China, back in 2022. More recently, in November 2024, BMW Group also announced its intentions to open a new ‘Cell Recycling Competence Centre’ in Germany, which will create a closed loop for battery cells for the manufacturer.
Nadine Philipp, Vice President Sustainability Supplier Network at BMW AG, commented:
“The promotion of circular economy is an important strategic topic for the BMW Group. The development of recyclable products, the increase of secondary materials in our components, and the closing of loops play an equally important role… And by the means of circular economy we are also increasing our resilience in the supply chains.”
Jörg Lederbauer, Vice President Circular Economy, Spare Parts Supply High Voltage Battery and Electric Powertrain at BMW AG, added:
“Partnerships like this increase our efficiency in terms of the circular economy. In the closed-loop process, all partners mutually benefit from their experiences.”