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URT builds one of the largest lithium-ion battery recycling plant of Europe
German plant engineering company URT Umwelt- und Recyclingtechnik GmbH has commissioned one of Europe’s largest lithium-ion battery recycling plants for RE.LION.BAT. Circular in Meppen, Germany. The fully automated facility processes up to 4 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries per hour and achieves dry black mass recovery rates exceeding 98%. With more than 30 years of experience in recycling technology, URT specializes exclusively in turnkey recycling plants for e-waste and lithium-ion batteries. The company combines safe depollution with efficient recovery of valuable raw materials and delivers complete industrial plants including process engineering, permitting support, commissioning and long-term support. The lithium-ion battery recycling process developed by URT is based on a thermomechanical treatment approach designed for industrial throughput and operational reliability. Following deep discharge and partial dismantling, batteries are shredded under inert conditions using specially developed airlock and sealing systems. This process minimizes oxygen ingress, reduces nitrogen consumption and prevents emissions from escaping into the plant environment.
Multiple monitoring points continuously control oxygen concentration and temperature levels throughout the shredding process. URT’s inert processing expertise is based on more than 25 years of experience in refrigerator recycling plants, where hydrocarbons released during shredding must also be safely controlled under low-oxygen conditions. These established safety concepts were transferred and adapted specifically for industrial lithium-ion battery recycling applications. A central part of the process is the industrial vacuum drying stage. In horizontal vacuum dryers, volatile electrolyte components are evaporated, condensed and safely treated. URT applies drying parameters above the decomposition range of conductive salts to ensure reliable drying performance, stable throughput and very low residual solvent content in the dried material. This significantly improves downstream material separation and enables high purity output fractions. After drying, the material is mechanically separated into ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and copper, plastics and black mass. The separation architecture is engineered to deliver consistent black mass quality and repeatable output characteristics across varying battery chemistries and input materials.
To comply with stringent emission limits, URT integrates a two-stage exhaust gas aftertreatment system. Exhaust air is initially treated in a gas scrubber where halogens formed during the decomposition of conductive salts are neutralised. Depending on site-specific requirements, either an adsorption-based solution or regenerative thermal oxidation can be applied in the second treatment stage. The exhaust air concept is designed to ensure regulatory compliance and long-term permitting stability across different jurisdictions. The facility in Meppen represents one of eight industrial lithium-ion battery recycling plants delivered by URT worldwide. All plants operate in fully automated mode and apply the same thermomechanical inert treatment principle, demonstrating repeatability and scalability across different sites. URT’s modular architecture also allows future capacity expansion through the integration of additional shredding, drying or separation units without redesigning the core process.
In addition, URT states that its lithium-ion recycling plants do not rely on patent-protected operating parameters requiring per-tonne royalty payments. For operators, this reduces exposure to licensing costs and improves long-term financial predictability. Combined with lifecycle support and structured service concepts, URT positions itself as a long-term industrial partner for lithium-ion battery recycling projects worldwide.
Meet URT Umwelt - und Recyclingtechnik's team at Stand G35 or visit their website for more information.
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Join us on 17–18 June 2026 at Messe Frankfurt, Germany, for the industry’s most influential gathering of recycling companies, critical raw material suppliers, electronics and battery manufacturers, and ITAD specialists. This free-to-attend exhibition and conference grants you the unique opportunity to gain access to 4 co-located shows: E-Waste World Expo, Battery Recycling Expo, Metal Recycling Expo, and ITAD & Circular Electronics Expo.
The information within the copy was supplied by URT Umwelt - und Recyclingtechnik GmbH.