BMW, Redwood partner on Li-ion battery recycling

US-based battery recycler Redwood Materials will recycle lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles (EV) in automaking conglomerate BMW Group's portfolio under a partnership with the group's US subsidiary.

The deal, announced Monday, will give Redwood access to more than 700 BMW Group locations to source end-of-life batteries, including dealerships, distribution centers and internal facilities, the recycler said.

Redwood touted its proximity to BMW's Spartanburg and Woodruff manufacturing plants in South Carolina, where one of the company's two campuses is located, in saying the two companies have "committed to establishing significant operations in the area."

BMW plans to produce at least six EV models in the US by 2030, spending $1bn to retrofit Spartanburg to manufacture electric SUVs by 2026. Woodruff will supply Spartanburg with batteries as the company's new $700mn battery assembly plant that is expected to be operational by 2026.

The collaboration with BMW adds to Redwood's push to partner with other auto and battery manufacturers in recent years. The company in May entered into a deal with Ultium, the joint venture between General Motors and LG Chem, to recycle its production waste from two facilities that it estimates produce a combined 10,000 metric tonnes (t)/yr of cathode and anode scrap.

By Alex Nicoll