Austrian waste management company Saubermacher, in cooperation with the German firm Meinhardt Städtereinigung GmbH & Co. KG have built an innovative battery recycling plant near Frankfurt, Germany, marking an important step toward a true circular economy. What makes this facility unique is that the recycling process does not end with the extraction of black mass. Instead, the new plant enables the recovery of high-purity secondary raw materials from batteries, which can then be directly reused in industrial applications. This integrated process solution could also be of significant interest to Australia’s recycling sector.
The battery recycling plant makes it possible to recover almost all raw materials from used batteries, such as nickel, iron, zinc, or aluminium. The facility primarily processes common household batteries, e.g. AA and AAA, as well as specialized batteries from cordless screwdrivers or electric fences. In addition, it can also handle small and medium-sized electrical appliances, such as washing machines and smartphones.
Battery processing is carried out through a highly automated process. The plant has the capacity to process up to 100,000 kg of used batteries per day. Initially, the batteries are sorted using an AI-based system and innovative X-ray technology. This enables a sorting accuracy of over 99%, making it possible to recover and recycle nearly 100% of the metals contained in batteries.
The new recycling plant also contributes to reducing dust emissions and minimizing fire and explosion risks during the processing of used batteries.
