cylib successfully completes pioneering customer project: circular lithium carbonate qualified for new EV battery production
Major international partner qualifies cylib's recycled lithium carbonate – material now being used to manufacture new electric vehicle batteries, strengthening Europe's circular battery ecosystem
Aachen/Dormagen, 29 January 2026 – cylib has successfully completed a pioneering customer project, producing lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) from end-of-life NMC (nickel, manganese, cobalt) lithium-ion batteries. The circular material has been qualified by an international battery manufacturer and is now being used to produce new EV batteries.
"Working closely with a leading battery manufacturer and meeting their strict specifications proves our water-based OLiC (Optimised Lithium and Graphite Recovery) technology, delivers commercial-grade circular materials. Our recycled lithium carbonate is now going into new EV batteries – the loop is closed," says Dr Lilian Schwich, Co-founder and Co-CEO.
Due to confidentiality agreements – common in strategic automotive supply relationships – partners cannot be disclosed. The successful qualification and integration into production demonstrates the commercial readiness of cylib's technology.
Material produced at cylib's pilot facility in Aachen using the proprietary OLiC technology meets strict specification requirements and is now being integrated into multiple new electric vehicle batteries.
"This project demonstrates that Europe can build a truly circular battery value chain. By recovering critical materials locally, we reduce import dependence while securing supply for European battery manufacturers," adds Schwich.
About cylib
cylib is a holistic and sustainable battery recycling company, founded in 2022 in Aachen, Germany, by Dr Lilian Schwich, Paul Sabarny, and Dr Gideon Schwich. With over 120 employees, the company emerged from research conducted at RWTH Aachen University to produce advanced materials for sustainable batteries and resilient European value chains.
The water-based OLiC (Optimised Lithium and Graphite Recovery) technology efficiently recovers raw materials from battery packs, black mass, or production scraps, achieving over 90% recycling efficiency for lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt and manganese with an 80% reduced carbon footprint compared to primary extraction, enabling a circular economy.
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Media contact
Rebekka Müller (Head of Public Relations)
Phone: +49 (0) 241 9457360. Email: pr@cylib.de









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