Parallel to the rapid expansion of electric mobility in Europe, the sustainable, safe, and efficient management of end-of-life batteries has become one of the most pressing industry challenges. Responding to this market demand, BASF, one of the world’s leading chemical companies, and TSR Group, a major player in the European metal recycling sector, announced their cooperation in an official press release on April 15, 2026. The strategic partnership aims to accelerate the recycling of electric vehicle (EV) batteries in Europe and establish a secure, stable circular economy in the long term.
Two Industry Giants Meet in the Circular Economy
The two companies signing the agreement both possess significant expertise in their respective fields. TSR Group is a leading player in the metal recycling market in Europe and is an integral part of the extensive REMONDIS Group. The partner, BASF, is one of the premier global providers of advanced cathode active materials (CAM) required for lithium-ion batteries, along with related battery recycling services.
The formal agreement, intended to combine the strengths of the two companies, was signed by Dr. Daniel Schönfelder, President of BASF’s Battery Materials division, and Marc Affüpper, Managing Director of TSR Group.
Technological Steps: From Dismantling to “Black Mass”
The cooperation encompasses concrete, tangible industrial services covering the most critical stages of handling end-of-life batteries. Under the agreement, the joint effort extends to the professional and safe dismantling of batteries, as well as the complete discharging processes.
Following mechanical and safety preparation comes the most crucial step of the process: processing the depleted batteries into what is known as “black mass.” This is a highly concentrated shredded material containing valuable metals (such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt), from which secondary raw materials essential for manufacturing new batteries can later be recovered during chemical refining. According to background information, BASF already operates a recycling facility specialized in black mass production in Schwarzheide, Germany, which serves as an important technological pillar for the network.
Executive Visions and Future Plans
The openly stated goal of the corporate groups is to explore further joint activities beyond the current agreement to strengthen the circular economy of electromobility. Due to the size of the market and the complexity of the task, the companies recognized that achieving these goals alone is impossible.
“Partnerships are key to not only successfully but also more rapidly developing the battery recycling market,” emphasized Dr. Daniel Schönfelder, President of BASF’s Battery Materials division, in the press release. “The cooperation with TSR proves how important strong partners are for building a long-term, high-performance, and safe circular economy. Together, we are expanding our European network by involving a leading recycling service provider and creating integrated solutions that help our customers close their value chains sustainably and reliably.”
The initiative represents another major step for the European automotive industry and battery manufacturers toward self-sufficiency and the recovery of critical raw materials.
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This article is based on the official global press release issued by BASF on April 15, 2026: TSR Group and BASF cooperate on the recycling of electric vehicle batteries in Europe (Trade News)