Breakthrough in EV Battery Recycling: Cylib and Syensqo Produce High-Purity Lithium

In a game-changing step for electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling, German startup Cylib and Belgian materials company Syensqo have teamed up to produce high-purity lithium hydroxide from used EV batteries. This breakthrough, announced on July 23, 2025, could reshape how we recycle batteries, making EVs even more sustainable while reducing Europe’s reliance on imported lithium. Here’s a simple breakdown of this exciting innovation and why it matters.

What Did Cylib and Syensqo Achieve?

Cylib and Syensqo have developed a new way to recycle lithium from old EV batteries, turning them into battery-grade lithium hydroxide—a key ingredient for new EV batteries. Unlike most recycling methods today, their process works with different types of batteries, like those made with nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) or lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP), all on one production line. This makes the process simpler, more efficient, and potentially cheaper.

The result? Lithium that’s pure enough to meet the strict standards of battery manufacturers, sometimes even exceeding them. This is a big deal because very few companies can recycle lithium to this level of quality, especially in the form of lithium hydroxide, which is preferred for modern EV batteries.

How Does the Recycling Process Work?

The process is surprisingly straightforward, combining Cylib’s eco-friendly methods with Syensqo’s advanced technology. Here’s how it works in simple terms:

• Collecting Old Batteries: Used EV batteries or their production scraps (called “black mass”) are gathered. These contain valuable materials like lithium, graphite, nickel, and cobalt.
• Water-Based Extraction: Cylib uses a water-based process called OLiC (Optimised Lithium & Graphite Recovery) to pull lithium and other materials out of the battery waste. This method is more sustainable than traditional processes, cutting the carbon footprint by up to 80% compared to mining new lithium.
• Purifying Lithium: Syensqo steps in with a special extraction agent called CYANEX® 936P, which isolates lithium with high precision. After further purification, conversion, and crystallization, the lithium becomes battery-grade lithium hydroxide, ready for use in new batteries.

This teamwork makes the process highly efficient, recovering over 90% of the lithium and other materials while keeping costs and environmental impact low.

Why Is This Breakthrough Important?

This innovation is a big win for several reasons:

• Sustainability: Recycling lithium from old batteries reduces the need to mine new raw materials, which can harm the environment. It supports a circular economy where materials are reused instead of discarded.
• Reducing Dependency: Europe currently imports most of its lithium from places like China and South America. By recycling lithium locally, Cylib and Syensqo help make Europe’s EV industry more self-sufficient.
• Meeting EU Goals: The European Union’s 2023 Battery Regulation requires recyclers to recover at least 50% of lithium from battery waste by 2027 and 80% by 2031. This process puts Cylib and Syensqo ahead of the curve.
• Versatility: The ability to recycle different battery types on one line makes the process scalable and cost-effective, paving the way for wider adoption.

What’s Next for Cylib and Syensqo?

Cylib is already building its first industrial recycling plant in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, set to open in 2026. This facility will scale up their process, recycling lithium and other materials from EV batteries and production waste. Meanwhile, Syensqo’s expertise in extraction technology will continue to support innovative solutions for a greener future.

Together, they’re proving that battery recycling can be efficient, sustainable, and ready to power the next generation of electric vehicles.

The Bigger Picture

As electric vehicles become more popular, the demand for lithium and other battery materials is skyrocketing. Innovations like this one from Cylib and Syensqo show that recycling can meet this demand while protecting the planet. By turning old batteries into new resources, they’re helping build a cleaner, more sustainable future for EVs and beyond.