Innovative process enables successful pilot-scale materials recovery from end-of-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries to meet future lithium needs

Aachen and Brussels, 23 July 2025

cylib and Syensqo have reached a significant milestone in circular battery materials processing by producing high-purity lithium hydroxide from spent EV batteries. This collaboration marks a major advancement in the recovery of valuable materials, as very few recycling companies today can produce lithium at battery-grade, especially lithium hydroxide, the preferred form of lithium for new EV batteries.

A first in the battery recycling industry, this achievement enables the extraction and purification of lithium from shredded battery electrodes, known as black mass, from different battery chemistries, such as NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) and LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate), on a single operating line. This approach simplifies the recycling process, increases versatility and potentially reduces capital expenditures (CAPEX).

'Syensqo's technology perfectly complements cylib's hydrometallurgical process, enhancing both the yield and purity of recovered lithium,' said Laurent Cohen, in charge of Strategic Development and Alliances for Mining Solutions at Syensqo. 'By combining our expertise in solvent extraction with cylib's process, we're establishing a scalable, high-purity lithium recovery route aligned with Europe's circular economy and battery regulation goals.'

As part of the project, hundreds of litres of cylib's lithium-rich effluent were processed by Syensqo using an innovative extraction technology co-developed with its engineering partner, Tenova Advanced Technologies. The process uses CYANEX® 936P, Syensqo's proprietary solvent extractant renowned for its exceptional lithium selectivity.

Following extraction, purification, conversion and crystallisation, the resulting product meets, and in some respects exceeds, the strict purity standards required by leading cathode active material (CAM) manufacturers.

'This collaboration with Syensqo demonstrates our commitment to working continuously with partners to develop new processes and expand our technological leadership in battery recycling,' said Matthias Breidenbach, Vice President Commercial at cylib. 'By combining our innovative hydrometallurgical expertise with Syensqo's advanced solvent extraction technology, we are setting new standards for lithium recovery efficiency and purity.'

This achievement also advances the objectives set by the European Union for lithium recovery in battery recycling. According to the Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, adopted two years ago, recyclers must recover at least 50% of the lithium content in battery waste by the end of 2027, and no less than 80% by the end of 2031.

About Syensqo

Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates in 30 countries.

Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and healthcare applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity.

Learn more at www.syensqo.com

About cylib

cylib is a holistic and sustainable battery recycling company, founded in 2022 in Aachen (Germany) by Dr.-Ing. Lilian Schwich, Paul Sabarny, and Dr.-Ing. Gideon Schwich. The end-to-end process, developed through research at RWTH Aachen University, is characterised by the efficient, resource- and climate-friendly recovery of raw materials such as lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, and manganese from battery packs, black mass, or production scraps. The revolutionary water-based OLiC (Optimised Lithium & Graphite Recovery) process achieves over 90% recycling efficiency and delivers an 80% reduced carbon footprint compared to primary raw material extraction. By returning sustainably sourced raw materials to the supply chain, cylib enables a circular economy and resilient European value chains.

Learn more at https://www.cylib.de/

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Contacts

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Syensqo

Perrine Marchal

Phone: +32 478 32 62 72

Laetitia Schreiber  

Phone: +32 487 74 38 07

Email: media.relations@syensqo.com

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cylib

Rebekka Müller  

Head of Public Relations  

Phone: +49 (0) 241 9457360 

Email: pr@cylib.de

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Photo credits: cylib/Jann Höfer and Porsche AG