BMW of North America has teamed up with Redwood Materials to recycle lithium-ion batteries from its range of electric, plug-in hybrid, and mild hybrid vehicles, including BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad models in the U.S.
This collaboration underscores the companies’ commitment to sustainability and represents a significant move towards a circular battery supply chain in the U.S.
Redwood Materials will work with BMW’s extensive network of nearly 700 locations across the country, including dealerships and distribution centers, to collect end-of-life batteries. Key materials like nickel, cobalt, lithium, and copper will be recycled, with 95% to 98% of these minerals returned to the battery supply chain to support the production of future electric vehicles.
Denise Melville, Head of Sustainability at BMW of North America, highlighted the importance of the partnership, saying, “Together with Redwood Materials, BMW is laying the groundwork for the creation of a fully circular battery supply chain in the U.S. We have said before that the future of BMW was electric, digital, and circular, and this agreement brings us a step closer to meeting that goal.”
Redwood Materials operates a recycling campus in Reno, Nevada, with a second facility under construction in Charleston, South Carolina, near BMW’s Plant Spartanburg. The proximity to BMW’s manufacturing facilities will support the company’s efforts to build six fully electric models and high-voltage battery packs by the end of the decade.
Cal Lankton, Chief Commercial Officer at Redwood Materials, remarked, “Our partnership with BMW of North America ensures responsible end-of-life battery management that will improve the environmental footprint of lithium-ion batteries, help decrease cost and, in turn, increase access and adoption of electric vehicles.
