#Germany #circular economy #Clarios #Hanover #VARTA

Clarios Expands European Recycling Capacity

Clarios, a prominent global provider of advanced energy storage solutions, has recently announced a meaningful enhancement to its recycling capabilities across Europe. This strategic move involves the integration of three facilities located in Freiberg and Braubach, Germany, as well as Arnoldstein, Austria. With these additions, Clarios aims to significantly bolster its ability to recover and repurpose materials from batteries, reiterating its dedication to circularity and sustainable manufacturing within the EMEA region.

The newly acquired facilities, which were previously operated by Ecobat, come equipped with established technologies and extensive technical expertise in the treatment and recovery of lead and polypropylene. This integration will greatly enhance Clarios' internal recycling capacity and help achieve its long-term sustainability objectives, all while meeting the rising expectations of regulatory bodies and customers for responsible sourcing and material reuse.

"This expansion marks a significant milestone in our European operations," stated Werner Benade, Clarios' President for the EMEA region. "It will strengthen our European recycling infrastructure, improve the resilience of our supply chain, and contribute to the supply of high-quality secondary materials—including those used in our flagship VARTA brand—to meet the increasing demand for advanced low-voltage batteries, aid in the energy transition in the automotive industry, and solidify our leadership in the circular economy."

The advantages of this integration for Clarios include:

• - Increased Internal Recycling Capacity: The enhanced capacity focuses on lead recycling, promoting a circular recovery of materials derived from end-of-life batteries.
• - Development of Polypropylene Recycling: This initiative includes the first internal capability for polypropylene compounding, in line with forthcoming EU regulations mandating that at least 25% of plastics used in vehicles must come from recycled sources, including End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs).
• - Enhanced European Capabilities: The improvements reinforce supply chain resilience in Europe and promote sustainable manufacturing throughout the region.

The completion of this transaction is anticipated in early 2026, pending the necessary regulatory approvals. This integration will also empower Clarios to provide high-quality recycled materials across its product lines, including those associated with the VARTA brand, trusted by millions of drivers across Europe.

About Clarios

Clarios stands as the world leader in advanced low-voltage battery technologies for mobility, owning the VARTA brand in the automotive sector. Their batteries and smart solutions power nearly all types of vehicles, with a presence in one out of every three cars on the road today. With approximately 18,000 employees spread across more than 100 countries, Clarios brings deep expertise to aftermarket partners and OEMs, ensuring reliability, safety, and comfort in everyday life. The company is committed to environmental responsibility by rigorously focusing on sustainable development, adopting best practices, and promoting sustainability within its industry. Clarios guarantees that 100% of its sold products are recyclable and recycles 8,000 batteries every hour within its network.