tozero GmbH, established in 2022 in Munich, Germany, specializes in sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling. The company develops advanced processes to recover essential materials including lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite from end-of-life batteries. Their innovative approach addresses the growing challenge of battery waste in Europe, where over 250,000 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries will require recycling annually by 2030. Through their specialized recycling methods, tozero aims to transform what was once considered waste into valuable resources, supporting the circular economy while reducing environmental impact.
Battery Technology
tozero’s technology centers on a sophisticated hydrometallurgical process that efficiently recovers materials from used lithium-ion batteries. This method operates at lower temperatures and with reduced chemical intensity compared to traditional recycling approaches, resulting in approximately 70% fewer emissions than conventional mining operations.
The company’s process begins with the careful discharge and dismantling of batteries, followed by crushing them into a fine powder known as black mass. Through their proprietary chemical treatment process, tozero can recover up to 97% of valuable materials from this black mass, achieving a significant milestone as the first European company capable of recovering lithium at this scale.
Their technology stands out for its feedstock-agnostic capabilities, allowing for the processing of various battery types while maintaining high-quality output. The recovered materials meet industry standards for reuse in new battery production, creating a closed-loop system that reduces dependence on primary resource extraction.
Recent Projects
In early 2024, tozero secured €11 million in seed funding to construct their first industrial-scale recycling facility. This plant, scheduled to begin operations by 2026, will process 30,000 tonnes of battery waste annually. The company has also established strategic partnerships with major Chinese battery manufacturers and expanded its presence in Asia, using Hong Kong as an entry point for regional operations.
Investors
tozero’s recent €11 million seed funding round was led by NordicNinja, with significant participation from Honda Motor and JGC Group through Mirai Corporate Venture Capital. The company maintains support from existing investors including Atlantic Labs, Verve Ventures, and Possible Ventures. Additionally, In-Q-Tel has joined as a strategic investor, demonstrating confidence in tozero’s technology and market potential. The European Innovation Council (EIC) has also provided a €2.5 million grant to support the company’s expansion.
Business Details
Location: Munich, Germany
Website: https://tozero.solutions
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/87181475
