Tracegrow converts recycled alkaline batteries and industrial sidestreams into high‑purity manganese and zinc via the RETRACER™ process, supplying low‑carbon, battery‑grade REDO‑M® and recycled micronutrient fertilizers.
Tracegrow, founded in 2012 and based in Kärsämäki, Finland, is majority-owned by the Huhtala family (Huhtala Yhtiöt). The company recovers and purifies critical raw materials—primarily manganese and zinc—from recycled alkaline batteries and industrial sidestreams across Europe. Tracegrow’s mission is to close material loops by converting waste streams into low‑carbon, high‑purity feedstocks for batteries and agriculture, supporting resilient food production and cleaner industrial supply chains. Leadership includes founders and executives such as Petri Huhtala and Mikko Joensuu. Tracegrow operates commercial-scale production and exports products to multiple countries.
Tracegrow’s core RETRACER™ process is a patented hydrometallurgical extraction and purification method that selectively recovers manganese and zinc from black mass, spent alkaline batteries, and metal-rich industrial sidestreams. The process achieves high recovery rates (above 90%), produces battery-grade compounds such as manganese sulfate monohydrate (REDO‑M®), and operates without generating wastewater or harmful emissions, yielding a low carbon intensity compared with primary mining. RETRACER™ integrates leaching, targeted purification and crystallization steps and is supported by granted and pending patents and independent analytical validation. Outputs are suitable for cathode manufacturers, fertilizer producers and other industrial applications.
Tracegrow offers circular products including REDO‑M® battery‑grade manganese sulfate monohydrate for lithium‑ion cathodes, and a portfolio of recycled-source micronutrient fertilizers (ZM‑GROW™, ZIMACO‑PRO, M‑TRACE) suitable for agriculture, horticulture and organic farming. The company also supplies EU‑made seed coating solutions. Key features include high chemical purity, low carbon footprint and regulatory compliance for end‑use in EV batteries, energy storage systems, consumer electronics and crop production.
In November 2025 Tracegrow launched REDO‑M®, its circular battery‑grade manganese sulfate product, initiating validation and scale‑up collaborations with cathode manufacturers, battery recyclers and OEMs to qualify the material for commercial cathode use. In 2025 the company also presented EU‑made seed coatings at Euroseeds, demonstrating agricultural applications of recycled micronutrients. Tracegrow continues commercial production and market validation activities with industry partners across Europe.
Tracegrow is majority‑owned by Huhtala Yhtiöt and has raised funding from institutional and venture investors including Nefco, Nordic FoodTech VC and Taaleri Investments Ltd. Nordic FoodTech VC led a €2.5 million round while Taaleri contributed at least €1.5 million; Nefco has financed expansion of Finnish production capacity since 2023. The company has secured grants and acceleration support from programs such as EIT Food and Horizon 2020 and reports cumulative funding above €20 million.
