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.
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.
The process is surprisingly straightforward, combining Cylib’s eco-friendly methods with Syensqo’s advanced technology. Here’s how it works in simple terms:
This teamwork makes the process highly efficient, recovering over 90% of the lithium and other materials while keeping costs and environmental impact low.
This innovation is a big win for several reasons:
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.
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.
Suhail Gulati
Suhail Gulati is the founder of ElecTree and an economist by training. He holds a Master's degree in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics and has worked in credit, retail banking, and financial stress testing at Barclays and American Express. He founded ElecTree in 2023 — building it into India's dedicated platform for 4-wheeler EV data, sales analysis, and original reporting. His work sits at the intersection of economic analysis and electric mobility — bringing a banker's rigour to a sector that deserves it.