BASF to Lead Battery Recycling Efforts for Iveco Group’s Electric Vehicle Fleet

From left: Dr. Daniel Schönfelder, President of BASF’s Catalysts division, who is also responsible for the company’s battery materials and battery recycling business, and Francesco Donato, Head of Iveco Group Procurement. Photo: BASF SE

(IN BRIEF) Iveco Group (EXM: IVG) has partnered with BASF (FWB: BAS), a leading global chemical company, to implement a recycling solution for lithium-ion batteries used in Iveco Group’s electric vehicles. This collaboration is in line with Iveco Group’s circular economy strategy and commitment to extended producer responsibility. BASF will oversee the entire battery recycling process, including collection, transport, and recycling, in multiple European countries. They will extract valuable materials like nickel, cobalt, and lithium from used batteries to be reused in new ones, promoting a sustainable and low-carbon approach. The partnership aims to contribute to a circular economy and reduce CO2 emissions in line with Iveco Group’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUDWIGSHAFEN, 23-Jan-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — BASF SE (ETR: BAS), the world’s largest chemical producer and a prominent supplier to the automotive sector, announces its strategic partnership with Iveco Group (EXM: IVG). This groundbreaking collaboration marks the first step in addressing the critical need for recycling solutions for lithium-ion batteries used in Iveco Group’s electric vehicles.

The decision aligns perfectly with Iveco Group’s commitment to a circular economy approach, guided by the 4R Framework – Repair, Refurbish, Repurpose, and Recycling. This framework aims to extend the life cycle of lithium-ion batteries while minimizing their environmental impact. Additionally, Iveco Group will adhere to the Extended Producer Responsibility policy, taking full accountability for the entire life cycle of its products, from inception to end-of-life.

BASF, which recently inaugurated Europe’s inaugural co-located battery material production and recycling center in Schwarzheide, Germany, will oversee the comprehensive recycling process for lithium-ion batteries deployed in Iveco Group’s electric vans, buses, and trucks. The agreement encompasses battery collection, packaging, transportation, and recycling operations across multiple European countries, including France, Germany, and the UK.

Following collection, BASF will employ advanced mechanical processes to convert these batteries into black mass. From this raw material, BASF will extract essential resources like nickel, cobalt, and lithium, which can then be repurposed for the production of new batteries. This approach allows BASF to establish a complete battery recycling value chain within Europe, providing locally sourced, recycled metals with a minimal carbon footprint for the battery industry.

Angela Qu, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Iveco Group, emphasized the importance of this partnership in advancing sustainability efforts, stating, “Life cycle thinking is one of our strategic sustainability priorities. BASF shares this approach with us, and its broad battery collection network and recycling capabilities in Europe will help us close the loop from end-of-life batteries to new ones. Working together we will enable a circular economy and reduce our CO2 footprint, which is fully in line with the Group’s commitment to reach net zero carbon by 2040.”

Dr. Daniel Schönfelder, President of BASF’s Catalysts division, who oversees the company’s battery materials and battery recycling business, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “The partnership with Iveco Group is our first agreement to recycle batteries from electric vans, buses and trucks and an important step for our battery recycling business to expand our activities into the commercial vehicle space. It will allow us to further strengthen our European collection network and make further progress in this developing market. With our recycling solutions, we aim to support the European market to close the loop and meet the ambitious circular economy-focused policy requirements of the EU Battery Regulation.”

About BASF Battery Materials and Recycling

BASF is a leading global supplier of advanced cathode active materials (CAM) for the lithium-ion batteries market, providing high performance CAM to the world’s largest cell producers and for leading platforms of OEMs. In addition, we offer base metals sourcing and management as well as closed-loop battery recycling solutions. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms and passion for innovation, BASF’s Battery Materials and Recycling unit develops unique, proprietary solutions that drive customer success.

BASF Battery Materials and Recycling is part of BASF’s Catalysts division. The division’s portfolio also includes Environmental Catalysts and Metal Solutions, as well as process catalysts. Customers from a variety of industries including Automotive & Transportation, Chemicals, Plastics or Energy & Resources benefit from our innovative solutions. Further information on BASF’s Catalysts division is available on the Internet at www.catalysts.basf.com.

About Iveco Group

Iveco Group N.V. (EXM: IVG) is the home of unique people and brands that power your business and mission to advance a more sustainable society. The eight brands are each a major force in its specific business: IVECO, a pioneering commercial vehicles brand that designs, manufactures, and markets heavy, medium, and light-duty trucks; FPT Industrial, a global leader in a vast array of advanced powertrain technologies in the agriculture, construction, marine, power generation, and commercial vehicles sectors; IVECO BUS and HEULIEZ, mass-transit and premium bus and coach brands; IDV, for highly specialised defence and civil protection equipment; ASTRA, a leader in large-scale heavy-duty quarry and construction vehicles; MAGIRUS, the industry-reputed firefighting vehicle and equipment manufacturer; and IVECO CAPITAL, the financing arm which supports them all. Iveco Group employs more than 35,000 people around the world and has 20 industrial sites and 29 R&D centres. Further information is available on the Company’s website www.ivecogroup.com.

Media contact:

Sarah Katharina Müller
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SOURCE: BASF SE