Clarios Expands European Recycling Capacity to Enhance Circular Economy Leadership

Clarios, a global leader in advanced energy storage solutions, has recently declared a substantial expansion of its battery recycling operations across Europe. This initiative involves integrating three facilities located in Freiberg and Braubach, Germany, and Arnoldstein, Austria. The strategic move is expected to significantly enhance Clarios's ability to recover and reuse battery materials, underscoring their commitment to promoting a circular economy and sustainable manufacturing practices throughout the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region.

The newly integrated plants, currently operated by Ecobat, will strengthen Clarios's existing recycling network, tapping into established technologies and extensive technical expertise in the recycling and recovery of lead and polypropylene (poly) materials. This integration will considerably increase the company’s internal recycling capacities while also aligning with its long-term sustainability objectives. Additionally, it aims to meet the rising demands from both regulatory bodies and consumers regarding responsible sourcing and material reuse.

Werner Benade, President of EMEA at Clarios, commented, “This expansion marks a significant milestone for our European operations. It will enhance our recycling infrastructure in Europe, improve supply chain resilience, and support the delivery of high-quality secondary materials—especially for our leading VARTA brand—to meet growing demand for modern low-voltage batteries, facilitate the energy transition in the automotive industry, and reinforce our leadership position in the circular economy.”

The benefits of Clarios's expansion include:

- Increased Internal Lead Recycling Capacities: This will assist in the recovery of materials from used batteries, thereby promoting a closed-loop system.
- Expanded Polypropylene Recycling: This expansion includes Clarios's first proprietary poly-compounding facility, tailored to comply with upcoming EU regulations that mandate at least 25% of plastics used in vehicles to originate from recycled sources, including end-of-life vehicles (ELVs).
- Market Capacity Enhancement: By fortifying European capacities, Clarios aims to bolster supply chain resilience and support sustainable production across the continent.

The completion of this transaction is anticipated in early 2026, pending regulatory approvals. The integration of these facilities will also strengthen Clarios's capacity to supply its product lines with high-quality recycled materials, particularly those under the VARTA brand, which millions of drivers across Europe trust for their automotive needs.

About Clarios

Clarios stands out as the global leader in advanced low-voltage battery technologies for mobility and is the owner of the VARTA brand in the automotive sector. Their batteries and intelligent solutions power nearly all types of vehicles and can be found in one out of every three cars on the road today. With approximately 18,000 employees in over 100 countries, Clarios provides in-depth expertise and reliability to its aftermarket and OEM partners. The company is dedicated to sustainability, focusing on implementing the best practices in environmental responsibility within its industry.

Clarios is committed to ensuring that 100% of the products sold are recyclable, and they actively recycle about 8,000 batteries in their network every hour. Their efforts not only contribute to reducing environmental impact but also set a significant benchmark in the industry for sustainable practices.