Researchers at the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University have released an updated survey of lithium-ion battery recycling capacity and projects throughout Europe. The assessment, prepared by Natalia Soldan, Ali Bajaber, and Professor Heiner Heimes, documents the state of the sector as of February 2026.
Recycling Projects Across 15 European Countries
The mapping initiative identifies both operational and planned recycling facilities, cataloguing their processing volumes and technical methods where available. The survey distinguishes among four distinct recycling pathways: mechanical, hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical, and direct recycling approaches. This breakdown reveals the technological diversity underpinning Europe's emerging battery recovery ecosystem.
The survey encompasses recycling initiatives across 15 European nations. Germany leads in the number of documented sites, though recycling operations and development projects also appear in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Poland, and across the Nordic region.
The full mapping resource is available as a high-resolution download at no cost. The researchers note that the overview does not represent a complete inventory of all European battery recycling activity. They invite stakeholders to submit corrections and new information via their contact form.
Source: Battery-News
