We are pleased to announce our investment in Back to Battery, an innovative company focused on addressing one of the key challenges in the battery industry: the recycling of valuable materials from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. Through their advanced technology, BtB is able to recover critical metals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, offering a highly efficient and environmentally friendly solution that supports a circular economy.

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As the global demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy technologies increases, so too does the need for critical battery materials. By 2040, the demand for materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt is projected to grow significantly, up to 14 times more lithium, 20 times more nickel, and 5 times more cobalt annually. However, current recycling methods are inefficient. The most commonly used process, pyrometallurgy (burning batteries), leads to substantial material losses and is highly polluting, contributing significantly to CO₂ emissions. In addition to these inefficiencies, new EU regulations create additional urgency. From 2025, black mass (the waste material from shredded batteries) can no longer be exported outside of Europe, requiring local solutions for recycling and securing a stable supply of materials within the EU.

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As a result, European companies must find local solutions to recycle these materials sustainably. This is where BtB’s technology comes in: Back to Battery offers a solution to these issues through their proprietary hydrometallurgical process. This method allows them to recover over 95% of critical materials from black mass, turning waste into valuable resources. What distinguishes BtB from other methods is the use of regenerative  chemicals that significantly reduce waste and energy consumption. The proof of concept of the technology has been successfully demonstrated in a project at TU Delft, where the process achieved over 99.5% purity in the recovered materials, essential for ensuring the quality of new batteries.

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The team behind BtB, which includes experienced founders Steven Lans, Cyril Mambote, and Pieter ter Kuile, possesses the expertise and vision needed to bring this technology to full scale. With their deep knowledge in extractive metallurgy and a clear strategy for scaling operations, we are confident in their ability to deliver value and support the green energy transition.

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BtB is in the process of establishing a bench-scale plant to further refine and validate their technology. The company plans to scale up to a full-scale facility by 2027, with rapid expansion across Europe and beyond. With a strong team, proven technology, and a clear path to commercialisation, BtB is set to play a crucial role in the future of sustainable battery recycling.

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At Graduate Entrepreneur, we believe in the power of innovation to solve critical challenges. We are proud to support Back to Battery in their mission to contribute to a more sustainable future for the battery industry and strengthen the circular economy.

Interested in learning more about Back to Battery? Check out their website!

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