The first rechargeable lithium-ion battery was introduced to the market by Sony in 1991. In terms of energy storage, the novel chemical changed everything. These days, demand is soaring for everything from smartphones to EVs.
However, lithium is uncommon, the majority of it is sourced from unreliable markets outside of Europe, and its production can result in significant pollution. Although more lithium is required to facilitate the green transition, its use is currently unsustainable from an economic and environmental standpoint.
Although recycling batteries is not a novel idea, the German company asserts that its technology does the job more effectively than current techniques and without the use of hazardous chemicals.
Dr. Ksenija Milicevic Neumann, a specialist in metallurgy, and serial entrepreneur Sarah Fleischer launched Tozero in 2022. The two were employed in the space sector when they first met. After three years, they joined together to address a critical problem on Earth.
Neumann spent years at RWTH Aachen creating a novel water-based carbonation method for removing lithium and other elements, such as graphite, from black material before starting Tozero. After discarded batteries are processed and shred, this powdery material is created.
The CEO of the business, Fleischer, stated:
Fleischer, the company’s CEO, said :
Despite our limited resources as a two-year-old startup we’ve already made human history by being the first to ever deliver recycled lithium for end products in Europe,
Leading the investment round was NordicNinja, a European venture capital fund with Japanese support, which helped Tozero raise a comfortable €17 million. Engineering firm JGC, US venture firm In-Q-Tel, and automaker Honda are among the other investors.
The new funding will be used by Tozero to construct its first industrial deployment facility. Starting in 2026, the business intends to treat 30,000 tonnes of battery trash each year.
In theory, Tozero may simply continue to expand as long as it is continuously supplied with used batteries. Furthermore, that shouldn’t be a major problem.
By 2030, lithium-ion production is expected to nearly double. Much-needed incentives are also added by laws like the EU’s Battery Directive, which mandates that batteries recover at least 80% of their lithium by 2031. For Tozero and other recycling startups, such as Cylib, which is constructing the biggest EV battery recycling facility in Europe, this is only good news.