Porsche pilots recycling of high-voltage batteries for sustainable production

Porsche starts battery recycling pilot to recover raw materials and build a closed-loop system. Learn how it supports the EV circular economy.

Porsche is taking another step toward a sustainable future with the launch of a pilot project aimed at recycling high-voltage batteries. The initiative is designed to recover valuable raw materials and promote a closed-loop system — extracting, refining, and reusing scarce resources.

The program is divided into three key phases. First, used batteries from test vehicles are mechanically shredded, producing a substance known as “black mass.” This granular mixture contains essential elements such as nickel, lithium, cobalt, and manganese. So far, Porsche has processed around 65 tons of this material.

In the next phase, the black mass undergoes refining to extract high-purity raw materials suitable for new battery production. Maintaining material quality is a top priority for Porsche, ensuring that recycled inputs meet the company’s performance standards. In the final step, battery cells containing recycled content will be produced and tested in Porsche vehicles.

The recycling process is carried out in collaboration with German startup Cylib, which is backed by investments from Porsche and Bosch. Cylib is also building a large-scale facility in Dormagen, Germany, slated to go online in 2026 with an expected annual processing capacity of up to 30,000 tons.

The project aligns with Volkswagen Group’s broader strategy to transition toward a circular economy. The ultimate goal is to reduce reliance on virgin raw materials, minimize carbon emissions, and establish a long-term, sustainable resource model. Porsche is also preparing early for incoming EU regulations on battery recycling, which will take effect in 2031.

Across the industry, other automakers are advancing similar efforts. BMW, for example, has partnered with Redwood Materials, and European startups like Altilium and tozero are developing their own environmentally focused recycling technologies.

However, Porsche has not yet disclosed the expected scale-up timeline or financial impact of its pilot program. Details regarding battery performance tests using recycled content also remain under wraps. Still, the message is clear: battery recycling is no longer just a technological challenge, but a key pillar in the auto industry’s shift toward sustainability.

Source: porsche.com