A New Era in Battery Recycling: Viridis Recycling Receives BImSchG Approval for its Hanau Plant

Viridis Recycling GmbH, a spin-off from the Fraunhofer IWKS research institute, has obtained the essential Federal Emission Control Act (BImSchG) approval for its Hanau site. Announced on July 14, 2026, this milestone establishes the legal foundation for the future industrial-scale processing of lithium-ion batteries and battery waste. The step also represents significant progress toward European raw material security and a resource-efficient, circular economy.

From Research Institute Roots to Industrial Implementation

Viridis Recycling GmbH emerged from years of research and development work by the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Materials Recycling and Resource Strategies (IWKS). The organization focuses on the sustainable circular economy and modern battery recycling. The main objective of the company is to transition innovative recycling technologies, already proven at the laboratory level, into industrial practice. Through this activity, they not only contribute to securing strategically important raw materials but also actively support the resource-saving industrial transition.

Dr. Timotheus Jahnke, co-founder of Viridis Recycling GmbH, states that obtaining the approval under the Federal Emission Control Act is a historic milestone in the company’s life. In his words, this development marks a crucial step on the path from research to industrial implementation, clearly demonstrating that innovative processes from applied research can be successfully translated into marketable, industrial-scale solutions.

The Revolutionary Hydropulse™ Process

With the newly issued approval, Viridis Recycling GmbH is now officially authorized to accept waste and used cells from lithium-ion batteries and process them professionally. The company is currently undergoing the official procedure to become a certified waste management company (Entsorgungsfachbetrieb), while already actively operating a pilot-scale (technikum) recycling facility.

The core of the company’s technology is the patented Hydropulse™ process. The technological basis of the method involves shredding battery cells using a high-energy shockwave generated in water. Compared to conventional mechanical crushing methods, this new approach allows for an extremely gentle processing of the materials. Thanks to this innovation, the contamination of the recovered valuable materials is minimized, the recovery rate is exceptionally high, and the overall operational safety of the entire process is significantly increased.

Hanau’s Sustainability Strategy and Local Support

The successful development and market entry of the company are closely intertwined with Hanau’s innovation and economic center. The city administration has strongly supported the establishment of the company from the very beginning, significantly contributing to the strengthening of regional future technologies. The project fits perfectly into the City of Hanau’s sustainability strategy, providing an excellent example of successfully linking economic development, resource protection, and high-level technological innovation.

Prof. Dr. Peter Dold, Institute Director of Fraunhofer IWKS, emphasized that the development of Viridis Recycling impressively demonstrates how scientific excellence can create new companies, highly qualified jobs, and sustainable value creation. Claus Kaminsky, Mayor of Hanau, added: “Hanau is a strong technology hub, and Viridis Recycling exemplifies this perfectly. From the initial settlement of the Fraunhofer IWKS, our expectation was to purposefully strengthen materials science and sustainable industry. I am delighted that such an innovative solution in battery recycling has emerged from this environment, validating our path so far.”

Expanding Capacities and the Stuttgart Expansion

Following the spin-off, the headquarters of Viridis Recycling GmbH will remain in the vicinity of the Pioneer Park in Hanau. The close collaboration with Fraunhofer IWKS continues, and the company will keep utilizing the institute’s research infrastructure at the Hanau technikum, thereby ensuring continuous knowledge and technology transfer between theory and industrial practice.

For the coming years, the company has planned the step-by-step scaling of the technology and a significant expansion of recycling capacities. Alongside Hanau, Viridis already has an additional site in the Stuttgart region. A pilot line is currently under construction there, with official commissioning scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. The choice of the Stuttgart location is a deliberate strategic decision, as the region is one of the most important centers of the European automotive industry. The geographical proximity greatly facilitates direct cooperation with players in the battery value chain. The ultimate goal is the efficient recovery of critical and hard-to-source raw materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite.

Background Data: The Fraunhofer Society and IWKS in Numbers

The institutional background behind the technology boasts impressive quantitative statistics. Founded in 1949, the non-profit Fraunhofer Society operates 74 institutes and independent research facilities across Germany, employing a total of more than 30,000 staff members. The society’s annual financial volume reaches 3.6 billion euros, of which 3.2 billion euros is generated by its core business model, contract research.

Unlike many other research institutes, federal and state government funding accounts for merely up to one-third of the basic financing. The organization’s market orientation and competitiveness are perfectly illustrated by the fact that in 2025 alone, their net economic revenues reached 966 million euros. As a crucial part of this vast network, the Fraunhofer IWKS focuses on developing a zero-waste circular economy, offering intelligent and energy-efficient solutions for regenerating the raw materials of the future.

Sources and References:

• Original Research Institute Source: Fraunhofer IWKS Press Release

• Official Municipal/State Publication: Stadt Hanau – Presse-Service (Extended details)