BMW Group targets at least 50% recycled content in its vehicles by 2030, aiming to strengthen Europe’s battery materials supply chain. The carmaker’s head of technology, Franz Geyer, outlined the strategy at the annual International Congress for Battery Recycling (ICBR) in Berlin, noting that the company has already reached one-third recycled content for cars based on a new business model.
BMW operates four research centres in Germany, with the Cell Recycling Competence Centre (CRCC) in Salching serving as its largest hub. The facility opened in 2025 with €10 million in funding. Researchers there develop direct recycling processes to recover materials like lithium, cobalt, and graphite from production scrap and whole cells without breaking them down into atomic elements. The team successfully dismantles and delaminates batteries before testing dry-powder systems.
BMW collaborates with Encory, its joint venture with Interzero, to recover materials from its own operations. This partnership formed the foundation of the CRCC. Keeping more materials in circulation could support jobs and economic output.
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Geyer said, “Recycling battery cells is a must-win battle for us.”
Researchers there dismantle and delaminate batteries to test dry-powder systems. These materials are fed directly back into battery production.