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The BMW Group has strengthened its commitment to sustainability by launching a pan-European partnership with SK tes, a leader in innovative lifecycle solutions, to recycle high-voltage batteries. This partnership will recover cobalt, nickel, and lithium from used batteries, feeding these materials back into the value chain to manufacture new batteries. The initiative builds on BMW’s earlier success in China with a closed-loop recycling system and is set to expand to North America by 2026.
Key Highlights
- Collaboration with SK tes: This partnership enables BMW to recycle high-voltage batteries from European development, production, and markets.
- Innovative Recycling Process: Batteries are shredded mechanically, with metals recovered through hydrometallurgy to create secondary raw materials.
- Circular Economy Goals: Secondary materials from this process will support BMW’s new GEN 6 drivetrain, promoting a sustainable lifecycle for its vehicles.
- Global Expansion Plans: The closed-loop recycling system is slated for rollout in the US-Mexico-Canada region by 2026.
- Awards and Recognition: SK tes has received accolades such as the Business Intelligence Group’s Sustainability Service of the Year award.
BMW’s involvement with SK tes includes direct participation in recycling processes, allowing valuable insights to improve its development and sustainability practices. Jörg Lederbauer, Vice President of Circular Economy at BMW AG, emphasized, “Partnerships like this increase our efficiency in terms of the circular economy. In the closed-loop process, all partners mutually benefit from their experiences.”
Sustainability at BMW
The BMW Group follows the principles of Re:Think, Re:Duce, Re:Use, and Re:Cycle to integrate circular economy practices across its operations. Its Recycling and Dismantling Center has been at the forefront of recycling innovations for over 30 years, pioneering sustainable solutions for materials and parts.
Nadine Philipp, Vice President of Sustainability Supplier Network, stated, “The promotion of circular economy is an important strategic topic for the BMW Group… increasing our resilience in the supply chains.”
About BMW Group
With iconic brands like BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group operates globally, selling over 2.55 million vehicles in 2023. Its commitment to long-term thinking and responsible action ensures sustainability is embedded across the supply chain, production, and end-of-life phases.
Visit www.bmwgroup.com for more information.
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