In a significant advancement for sustainable mobility, it is projected that 130 million electric vehicles (EVs) will populate Europe’s streets by 2035, constituting approximately half of the total vehicles on the continent. While this growth signifies a pivotal shift toward cleaner transportation, it also poses a challenge related to battery waste. Without efficient recycling and upcycling processes, these millions of EV batteries could contribute to a burgeoning environmental problem.
Addressing this issue head-on, Circu Li-ion, a battery upcycling startup, has recently secured €8.5 million in seed funding. The primary goal of Circu Li-ion is to establish a fully circular battery value chain, specifically tailored to Europe’s expanding EV market.
Founded in 2021, this Luxembourg and Germany-based startup has developed an automated upcycling solution that enables the sustainable recycling of lithium-ion cells for large-scale reuse. Circu Li-ion stands out for its comprehensive approach, encompassing both hardware and software. The startup offers a Machine-as-a-Service product, which leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize various processes, including battery discharging, dismantling, disassembly, and health diagnostics. This approach significantly reduces manual labor and minimizes the environmental impact. Circu Li-ion claims that its upcycling solution can save up to 48% of CO2 emissions when compared to conventional recycling methods.
The company has already forged partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), micromobility service providers, power tool manufacturers, and European recycling companies. Its ultimate objective is to upcycle a staggering three billion batteries by 2035.
With the fresh infusion of funding, Circu Li-ion aims to expand its Machine-as-a-Service solution to additional European markets. Moreover, it plans to introduce Disassembly-as-a-Service, enabling customers to upcycle their batteries at the company’s facility in Karlsruhe, Germany. The startup also intends to enhance battery sorting techniques using AI and explore innovations in direct recycling.
In a bold move, Circu Li-ion plans to harness AI and data to create the world’s most extensive battery recycling data repository. This repository will support data-driven decision-making and facilitate the development of a fully circular battery supply chain.
In addition to these efforts, the company will use the capital to strengthen existing partnerships and establish new collaborations with industry players. It will also focus on expanding its primary production facility in Karlsruhe and aims to double its current workforce of 34 employees.
Xavier Kohll, co-founder and CTO at Circu Li-ion, emphasized the company’s commitment to evolving its products to meet the rapidly changing demands of the battery market. “It’s more than creating relevancy — it’s about pioneering flexible solutions that carve out new possibilities for cleaner battery recycling,” he said.
This funding round includes €4.5 million in equity investments, with social venture capital firm BonVenture leading the way. Several industry players and Circu Li-ion’s own management team also participated in the equity investment. The company additionally secured €4 million in grants from the European Innovation Council Accelerator (EICA), along with support from a consortium of recyclers and OEMs.
Nikolaj Klebert, Investment Manager at BonVenture, commended Circu Li-ion for its innovative solution, noting that the company puts a stop to the destruction of value associated with battery disposal. Circu Li-ion’s approach allows the unlocking of previously inaccessible potential, down to the level of the individual cell. This innovative approach is integral to achieving a high level of sustainability and plays a vital role in the transformation of numerous industries.
Circu Li-ion’s services come at an opportune moment, aligning with the European Union’s (EU) new battery regulation. This regulation is designed to ensure a circular economy and mandates minimum levels of recycled elements for EV batteries. Specifically, the EU requires that 16% of cobalt, 85% of lead, and 6% of lithium and nickel be recycled in EV batteries, fostering a more sustainable approach to their lifecycle.
Teresa Ribera, the Spanish Minister for the Ecological Transition, emphasized the significance of batteries in the decarbonization process and the EU’s transition to zero-emission modes of transport. She underscored the importance of reusing valuable resources contained in end-of-life batteries rather than relying on third-party countries for critical raw material supplies.
Circu Li-ion’s innovative and comprehensive approach to battery upcycling aligns perfectly with the EU’s goals for sustainability and the circular economy. As the number of EVs on European roads continues to grow, the startup’s efforts will play a crucial role in mitigating environmental impacts while ensuring a more sustainable future for the automotive industry.
By embracing a circular approach to battery value chains and using AI to optimize the recycling process, Circu Li-ion is poised to make a significant impact in reducing waste and promoting the responsible use of critical materials in EV batteries.
As the demand for EVs continues to rise and as governments worldwide focus on sustainable transportation, startups like Circu Li-ion are at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the EV revolution is environmentally responsible and sustainable. By upcycling lithium-ion batteries, Circu Li-ion is contributing to the ongoing transformation of the transportation industry.
With its recent funding, Circu Li-ion is well-positioned to further develop its innovative upcycling solutions and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future for electric vehicles. Through partnerships with industry players, the expansion of its services, and the creation of a comprehensive battery recycling data repository, the company aims to leave a lasting positive impact on the environment and the EV sector.
As the EV market continues to evolve, Circu Li-ion’s unique approach to battery recycling and upcycling will be pivotal in reducing carbon emissions and minimizing waste, helping to create a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future for electric mobility in Europe and beyond.