Stena Recycling has unveiled plans for what it claims to be Europe’s first complete and scalable value chain for the reuse and recycling of electric car batteries. The project, to be executed in collaboration with technology company EV Hub, will be housed at Stena’s new facility in Ausenfjellet, Norway, and is expected to be operational by the summer of 2024.
The new facility in Norway will have the capacity to process up to 3,000 tons of high-voltage batteries annually, equivalent to recycling 6,000 to 8,000 electric car batteries. Stena Recycling is already active in battery recycling, with a facility in Halmstad, Sweden, inaugurated just over a year ago. This facility will soon start receiving and processing scrap from the production process at Morrow’s battery factory in Arendal, Norway.
Ragnhild Borchgrevink, CEO of Stena Recycling AS, emphasized the project’s focus on both reusing and recycling electric car batteries to reduce the carbon footprint and promote a circular economy. She explained, “With Enova’s support, we can develop new technology and establish a value chain that minimizes the environmental impact of electric car batteries.”
The collaboration with EV Hub will integrate advanced infrastructure for battery reuse and recycling, including AI algorithms for battery health assessment, innovative disassembly and diagnostic methods for optimal second-life usage, and a modular battery storage bank system for second-life applications.
Nassir Farooq, CEO of EV Hub AS, highlighted their unique solution for diagnosing and repairing battery systems, stating, “Our technology provides a detailed overview of the battery’s condition, making it possible to save many electric cars from being scrapped and get them back on the road again.”
Stena Recycling’s commitment to the circular battery value chain extends to Batteryloop, a subsidiary that has installed an energy storage system at Stena Metall Group’s head office in Gothenburg, Sweden, using batteries from Toyota Material Handling. This initiative repurposes used forklift and bus batteries in new stationary storage units.
With Norway leading Europe in electric vehicle adoption and expanding the use of battery electric ferries and boats, the new battery recycling value chain hub is well-positioned for significant impact and engagement in sustainable transportation solutions.
