Clarios has announced a strategic expansion of its European battery recycling operations through the integration of three facilities located in Freiberg and Braubach, Germany, and Arnoldstein, Austria. Previously managed by Ecobat, these sites bring established lead and polypropylene processing technologies into Clarios’ network, significantly increasing the company’s in-house recycling capacity. The move underscores Clarios’ commitment to circular economy principles and sustainable manufacturing across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
By bringing these facilities under its management, Clarios will enhance its ability to recover and reuse critical battery materials. The additional capacity supports closed-loop lead recycling from end-of-life batteries and introduces the company’s first in-house polypropylene compounding capability. This aligns with upcoming European Union regulations that require at least 25% of plastics used in vehicles to come from recycled sources, including end-of-life vehicles.
“This expansion marks a major milestone in our European operations,” said Werner Benade, President EMEA at Clarios. “It will strengthen our European recycling infrastructure, improves supply chain resilience and supports the delivery of high-quality secondary materials — including those used in our leading VARTA brand — to meet growing demand for advanced low-voltage batteries, support the energy transition in the automotive industry, and reinforce our leadership in the circular economy.”
Key benefits of the transaction include:
- A substantial increase in lead recycling capacity to support closed-loop recovery processes
- Expanded polypropylene recycling capabilities, including compounding for recycled plastics
- Strengthened regional recycling infrastructure to meet rising regulatory and customer expectations
The transaction is expected to close by early 2026, pending customary regulatory approvals. Once completed, Clarios will be better positioned to supply high-quality secondary materials into its battery production lines, enhancing sustainability and resource efficiency across its European operations.
Source: Clarios Insights News
