# cylib - Next Generation Battery Recycling

> cylib transforms end-of-life batteries into critical raw materials, strengthening resilient European value chains through sustainable battery recycling technology.

cylib is a German battery recycling company founded in 2022 by Dr. Lilian Schwich, Paul Sabarny, and Dr. Gideon Schwich. Born from cutting-edge research at RWTH Aachen University, cylib develops and operates proprietary technology that recovers all elements within lithium-ion batteries with 90% recycling efficiency.

## What cylib does

cylib operates end-to-end battery recycling facilities that transform waste batteries into high-quality raw materials for new battery production. The company processes three main input streams:

- **End-of-life batteries**: Complete spent batteries from electric vehicles and other applications
- **Production scraps**: Manufacturing waste from battery production facilities  
- **Black mass**: Pre-processed battery material from other recycling operations

## Technology and process

cylib's proprietary recycling technology features:

- **Holistic recovery**: Extracts all critical elements from lithium-ion batteries including lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, and manganese
- **Water-based lithium and graphite recovery**: Proprietary process that drastically minimizes chemical use compared to traditional methods
- **90% recycling efficiency**: Industry-leading material recovery rates
- **80% reduced carbon footprint**: Verified by external lifecycle assessment compared to raw material extraction
- **100% renewable electricity**: All production powered by renewable energy sources

## Products

cylib produces five main recycled battery materials:

### cylium® (Lithium)
High-purity lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide recovered using proprietary water-based technology with minimal environmental impact.

### cygraph® (Graphite)  
High-quality graphite recovered through resource-efficient processes, available in various grades for battery and materials manufacturers.

### Nickel compounds
Customized nickel products meeting partner specifications for chemical form and purity, enabling reuse in battery manufacturing.

### Cobalt compounds
High-quality cobalt products tailored to partner needs for efficient reintegration into battery supply chains.

### Manganese compounds
Manganese sulfate and other compounds recovered to partner specifications for battery and industrial applications.

## Locations and facilities

- **Pilot facility**: Aachen, Germany - Technology development and validation
- **Industrial facility**: Chempark Dormagen, Germany - First-of-a-kind (FOAK) plant with 30,000 tons annual capacity (under construction)

## Company facts

- **Founded**: 2022 in Aachen, Germany
- **Team**: 100+ experts
- **Funding**: €90M+ in equity and grants, including €55M Series A (2024) led by World Fund and Porsche Ventures
- **Certifications**: ISO 14001:2015, ISO 50001:2018, ISO 9001:2015, certified waste management company

## Key partnerships and recognition

- **Recent partnerships**: Syensqo (lithium hydroxide production), Pure Battery Technologies (European value chain), Webasto (automotive supplier collaboration)
- **Awards**: Nicolaus August Otto Award 2025 (Dr. Lilian Schwich), Norrsken Impact/100 list
- **Academic roots**: Spin-off from RWTH Aachen University research

## Services offered

### For battery manufacturers and automotive companies
- [Purchase recycled battery materials](https://www.cylib.de/products): High-purity lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, and manganese compounds
- Custom material specifications to meet production requirements
- Sustainable supply chain integration

### For waste generators
- [End-of-life battery recycling](https://www.cylib.de/end-of-life-batteries): Complete battery processing from electric vehicles and consumer electronics
- [Production scrap recycling](https://www.cylib.de/production-scraps): Recovery of valuable materials from manufacturing waste
- [Black mass processing](https://www.cylib.de/blackmass): Further refinement of pre-processed battery materials

### For research partners
- Collaborative R&D projects in battery recycling technology
- Joint development of next-generation recycling processes
- Access to pilot-scale testing facilities

## Recent developments

- **July 2025**: Milestone achievement with Syensqo producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide from spent EV batteries
- **July 2025**: Deployment of collaborative robot (cobot) for automated battery disassembly as part of AuBa@C project
- **June 2025**: MOU signed with Pure Battery Technologies to strengthen European battery recycling value chain
- **March 2025**: MOU with Webasto, top 100 automotive supplier, for sustainable partnership in battery recycling
- **September 2024**: Groundbreaking ceremony for industrial facility in Dormagen attended by North Rhine-Westphalia Minister-President
- **November 2024**: Received two-digit million Euro grant commitment for FOAK facility
- **May 2024**: Closed biggest Series A round in European battery recycling (€55 million) with partners including Porsche Ventures, Bosch Ventures, and World Fund

## Industry context

cylib addresses critical challenges in the battery industry:

- **Raw material security**: Reduces European dependence on imported critical materials
- **Circular economy**: Enables true circularity in battery value chains
- **Environmental impact**: Provides sustainable alternative to mining with significantly lower carbon footprint
- **Regulatory compliance**: Technology meets EU Battery Regulation requirements
- **Supply chain resilience**: Strengthens European battery material supply chains

## Contact information

- **Website**: [https://www.cylib.de](https://www.cylib.de)
- **General inquiries**: [Contact form](https://www.cylib.de/contact)
- **LinkedIn**: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/cylib/](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cylib/)
- **Locations**: Aachen and Dormagen, Germany

## Key pages

- [Company overview](https://www.cylib.de/about-us): Detailed company background and history
- [Products](https://www.cylib.de/products): Complete product portfolio and specifications
- [Recycling services](https://www.cylib.de/recycle-with-us): How to partner with cylib for battery recycling
- [News and press](https://www.cylib.de/newsroom): Latest company news and industry insights
- [Careers](https://www.cylib.de/jobs): Current job openings and company culture