Aachen, Germany-based recycling specialist Cylib is participating in a 25-partner German consortium aimed at advancing sodium-ion battery technology and establishing corresponding recycling processes across Europe’s emerging value chain.
The three-year ‘SIB:DE Entwicklung’ (English: ‘development’) project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology, and Space, builds on the earlier SIB:DE Forschung (English: ‘research’) initiative launched in 2025. While the initial programme focused on assessing the viability of sodium-ion batteries for Europe’s energy and mobility transition, the new phase moves towards industrialisation, targeting the development of large-format, market-ready cells alongside integrated end-of-life solutions.
Cylib leading recycling activities
Cylib is leading recycling activities within the consortium in collaboration with TU Braunschweig. The work is overseen internally by Till Gerlach, head of R&D, and Lisa Pillar, project manager for SIB:DE.
Two recycling routes are being pursued in parallel. The first follows established mechanical and hydrometallurgical processing. The second explores direct recycling, in which active materials are recovered and reintroduced into cell production without full chemical breakdown. According to Cylib, this approach could reduce processing costs – particularly for production scrap – while preserving material performance. A pilot-scale demonstration is planned for early 2029.
“Sodium-ion batteries use abundant raw materials. Yet recycling is what makes the technology truly sustainable and scalable. This project establishes the foundation for a circular European sodium-ion value chain,” said Dr Lilian Schwich, co-CEO of Cylib.
The consortium spans the full battery ecosystem, including manufacturers such as Varta, EAS Batteries and UniverCell; electrolyte developer E-Lyte Innovations; and equipment and systems providers including Jungheinrich, Grob-Werke, Coperion, ACP-systems and Fuchs Lubricants.
Scientific support is provided by eight Fraunhofer institutes, alongside RWTH Aachen University, Technical University of Munich, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and TU Braunschweig, as well as the ZSW. The project is coordinated by EDAG Production Solutions.
The ‘SIB:DE Entwicklung’ project is backed by €14.5 million in federal funding and will run from March 2026 to February 2029.
