TSR Group, a leading European metal recycling company and part of the REMONDIS Group, has entered a strategic partnership with chemicals giant BASF to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling across Europe.

 

The collaboration focuses on building an integrated recycling chain for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, including professional dismantling, safe discharging, and the processing of spent batteries into so-called “black mass”—a key intermediate for recovering critical raw materials. 

 

The partners are also exploring further joint initiatives to strengthen Europe’s circular economy in electromobility, including processing metal fractions from recycling residues and improving cross-border battery logistics.

 

Under the agreement, TSR Group strengthens its position in closing the loop for battery metals and reinforcing Europe’s industrial self-reliance in critical raw materials. Through its investment company BLC, a joint venture with logistics provider Rhenus Automotive, TSR will handle the dismantling and discharging of used batteries, adding a crucial upstream step to its recycling value chain.

 

The company brings extensive capabilities to the partnership, including established processing systems for metal fractions and electronic components, a Europe-wide logistics network for end-of-life batteries, and more than 190 permitted waste-management sites across the continent.

 

On the BASF side, the company operates a dedicated black mass recycling facility at its Schwarzheide site in Germany, and will now expand its recycling footprint into additional European markets through the partnership.

 

“The recovery of battery metals is far more than a technical process. It is a strategic prerequisite for security of supply and the competitiveness of European industry. If we succeed in consistently keeping these raw materials within the European market and making them available again, we strengthen industrial value creation and reduce geopolitical dependencies. 

 

"This collaboration is a concrete step toward building robust structures in battery recycling and ensuring the long-term reintegration of strategically important raw materials,” explained Marc Affüpper, Managing Director of TSR Group.

 

“Partnerships are key to developing the battery recycling market not only successfully but also more rapidly. The collaboration with TSR demonstrates how important strong partners are for building a long-term, high-performance and secure circular economy,” said Dr. Daniel Schönfelder, President of BASF’s Battery Materials division. 

 

“Together, we are expanding our European network by adding a leading recycling service provider and creating integrated solutions that help our customers close their value chains sustainably and reliably.”