ACCUREC-RECYCLING GMBH

Their core work

ACCUREC is a German SME specialized in battery recycling and critical raw material recovery. They provide industrial-scale recycling processes for lithium-ion, lithium-sulphur, and sodium-ion batteries, covering the full chain from disassembly through pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and electrochemical recovery. Their work spans both the end-of-life treatment of batteries and the environmental assessment (LCA/LCC) of new battery chemistries, making them a key partner for any project that needs to close the loop on advanced energy storage materials.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2014–2018), ACCUREC focused broadly on electronics waste recycling (CloseWEEE) and early lithium-ion and aluminium-ion battery projects, with keywords centered on disassembly, polymers, flame retardants, and modular battery pack design. From 2019 onward, their focus sharpened decisively toward advanced battery recycling — specifically silicon anodes, sulphur-rocksalt chemistries, sodium-ion cells, solid-state electrolytes, and critical raw material recovery through electrochemistry. This evolution shows a company that moved from general e-waste recycling into a specialized niche at the intersection of next-generation battery development and circular economy.

ACCUREC is positioning itself as the go-to recycling partner for next-generation battery chemistries (Na-ion, Li-S, solid-state), expanding into hydrogen-related material recovery and aviation sustainability assessment.

How they like to work

ACCUREC operates exclusively as a consortium partner — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, instead contributing specialized recycling and end-of-life expertise to large research consortia. With 179 unique partners across 22 countries, they are a highly networked organization that avoids repeat-partner insularity, joining diverse teams on each new project. This makes them an accessible, low-friction partner: they bring a specific, well-defined capability (recycling, material recovery, LCA) without competing for the coordination role.

ACCUREC has built one of the broadest partner networks among battery-recycling SMEs, collaborating with 179 distinct organizations across 22 European countries. Their partnerships span universities, large automotive OEMs, chemical companies, and research institutes across the EU battery value chain.

What sets them apart

ACCUREC occupies a rare niche: an SME that combines industrial battery recycling capability with active R&D participation in the development of the very chemistries they will eventually need to recycle. This means they can contribute recycling feasibility data and end-of-life design input at the earliest stages of battery development, something few recyclers can do. For consortium builders, they are the partner who ensures your new battery chemistry has a realistic circular economy pathway from day one.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CROCODILE
  Their largest project (EUR 1.63M) focused on commercial-scale cobalt recovery from batteries, combining bio-, solvo-, iono-, pyro-, and hydrometallurgy — a comprehensive recycling technology demonstration.
• NAIMA
  Positioned ACCUREC in the sodium-ion battery space with LCA/LCC assessment for stationary applications, signaling their move into non-lithium battery recycling.
• GENESIS
  An unusual pivot into aviation sustainability — life cycle assessment of electric aircraft systems including battery and fuel cell technologies, broadening their sector reach beyond ground transport.