Elemental Opens Metal Recovery Plant in Zawiercie
Elemental Strategic Metals, part of the recycling group Elemental, has inaugurated a new plant in Zawiercie, Poland, dedicated to recovering strategic industrial and precious metals from Li-Ion batteries of electric vehicles and from automotive and industrial catalysts. The project, valued at PLN 600 million (EUR 138.6 million), marks a significant step in enhancing the recycling and reuse of critical materials.
The facility focuses on extracting metals essential for modern technology and industry, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and precious metals from the platinum group such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. "These metals are crucial for today's technology and industry, and their recovery helps in the efficient use of natural resources and shortens the supply chain," stated Elemental Strategic Metals CEO Michal Zygmunt.
The recovered materials will be used to produce battery material precursors (pCAM), new catalysts, and membranes for electrolysers and fuel cells, primarily benefiting the electromobility and renewable energy sectors. The plant also recycles plastics, copper, and aluminum as by-products.
The establishment of the Zawiercie plant was partially financed by the Polish Development Fund (PFR), along with investments from the International Finance Corporation and the European Bank for Reconstruction, totaling USD 290 million for Elemental Group's operations. Additional funding came from a grant under the Intelligent Development Operational Programme - IPCEI, in collaboration with the Polish National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR).
Next year, Elemental Strategic Metals plans to begin constructing a similar facility in Wernigerode, Germany, in partnership with the US company Ascend Elements. This plant will have the capacity to process up to 58,000 electric vehicle batteries annually.
