Modern battery recycling plant makes Europe less dependent on raw materials

Synergies and know-how transfer for more efficient recycling

Saubermacher Recycling – a company of the Saubermacher Group – sorts and recycles over a billion household batteries a year in the Rhine-Main region. In order to meet the growing demand for recycling in the best possible way, the environmental pioneer is expanding its capacities for batteries and large and small electrical appliances, from washing machines to smartphones and kettles, in collaboration with waste disposal expert Meinhardt.and small appliances, from washing machines to smartphones and kettles. The new plant will be built at Meinhardt’s site in Ginsheim-Gustavsburg in accordance with the highest safety and fire protection standards. Commissioning is scheduled for next year. The joint venture will be established subject to merger control approval by the relevant authorities in Germany and Austria.

Maximum purity and best recycling rates

The new plant recycles small household batteries, such as those from remote controls, but also special batteries from cordless screwdrivers or electric fences. These are sorted in a highly automated process. AI-supported processes use X-rays to determine whether the batteries are alkaline manganeseor lithium-ion batteries. This allows valuable recyclable raw materials such as nickel, iron, zinc and aluminium can be recovered, which are used, among other things, in steel production or for the manufacture of new batteries. Up to 100 percent of the metals can be recycled. This closes the material cycle. Old becomes new. In addition to batteries, the plant can also process old electrical appliances efficiently and in a resource-saving manner. Careful separation and processing enable maximum recovery of metals, plastics and glass. Hazardous substances are also safely removed and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. The recycling plant meets all the requirements of the WEEE Directive* and makes a significant contribution to higher recycling rates.

Hans Roth, founder of Saubermacher: “With the joint venture between Saubermacher and Meinhardt, we are sending a strong signal for innovation and sustainability in the industry. Two environmental experts are pooling their expertise to promote the recycling of batteries and old electrical appliances and thus make the vision of ‘zero waste’ vision a reality.

Andreas Opelt, COO Saubermacher: “Through their cooperation and the establishment of new plant capacities, Saubermacher and the MeinhardtGroup are making a significant contribution to the circular economy in Germany, which will be urgently needed in the coming years in view of rising collection and recycling rates. Saubermacher is thus also consolidating its commitment in its neighbouring country, where the company has been active since 2015.

Marco Hastenteufel, Managing Director of Saubermacher Recycling GmbH: “The commissioning of a state-of-the-art battery recycling plant in the heart of Europe marks a significant milestone on the road to a sustainable future.sustainable future. This innovative plant enables us to recover valuable raw materials efficiently while significantly reducing the environmental impact of used batteries. At the same time, it was important to us to build a plant that also guarantees the highest level of safety for our employees. To this end, we paid a great deal of attention to fire protection, exhaust air purification and ergonomics in the plant design.”

Torben Kraffczyk, Managing Director of the Meinhardt Group: “The joint venture across national borders is a sign of a strong partnership in the SME sector, demonstrates innovative strength and secures long-term jobs for many committed employees. We look forward to the challenges we will face together.”

*The WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) regulates the minimum standards for the treatment of electricaland electronic equipment and serves to prevent and reduce such waste through reuse, recycling recycling and other forms of recovery.