cylib

Cylib, a German startup founded in 2022, specializes in sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling for electric vehicles. Utilizing proprietary technology with over 90% efficiency, Cylib recovers key materials like lithium and cobalt. Their Dormagen facility, set to operate by 2026, will process 30,000 tonnes annually, supporting a closed-loop supply chain.

Company Location

Country:

Germany

City:

Aachen

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Company Overview

Cylib is a German startup specializing in lithium-ion battery recycling, focusing on processing electric vehicle batteries and production scrap. Founded in 2022 by researchers from RWTH Aachen University—Lilian Schwich, Paul Sabany, and Gideon Schwich—the company’s mission is to establish a closed-loop battery supply chain while minimizing environmental impact compared to traditional mining methods.

Battery Technology

Cylib’s proprietary recycling process includes discharging, dismantling, mechanical treatment, thermal processing, and hydrometallurgical extraction, achieving over 90% efficiency. Their patented pre-treatment reduces acid usage, and a water-based lithium recovery system operates without harmful additives. Graphite extraction requires minimal chemicals, resulting in lower CO2 emissions. The process recovers lithium, cobalt, nickel, aluminum, and manganese, producing high-quality recyclates. Their planned industrial facility in Dormagen will process approximately 30,000 tonnes of battery materials annually by 2026.

Products

Recent Projects

Construction of an industrial-scale battery recycling facility at Chempark Dormagen, North Rhine-Westphalia, initiated in 2024 with completion slated for 2026. The plant will create approximately 170 jobs and process up to 60,000 EV batteries annually, advancing European battery material supply chain independence.

Investors

Series A (2024): Raised €55M in a round led by World Fund and Porsche Ventures, with additional participation from Bosch Ventures, DeepTech & Climate Fonds, NRW.Venture, VSquared Ventures, Speedinvest and 10x Founders. Earlier seed round: Raised €11.6M.

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