cylib

cylib is a German startup specializing in the end-to-end recycling of lithium-ion batteries. The company was founded in Aachen in 2022 by CEO Lilian Schwich, CTO Paul Sabarny, and COO Dr. Gideon Schwich, spinning out of nearly a decade of research at RWTH Aachen University.

The company's core business revolves around its proprietary, resource-efficient recycling process. This water-based hydrometallurgical method enables the recovery of all raw materials from end-of-life batteries or production scrap, including lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, and manganese. The process boasts a recycling efficiency of over 90% and is designed to have a significantly lower environmental footprint compared to competitors, partly due to a reduction in chemical usage. cylib's technology serves clients such as automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Tier 1 suppliers, battery manufacturers, and refineries. The business model involves turning battery waste into valuable, marketable raw materials that can be reintegrated into the battery supply chain and other industries, thereby supporting a circular economy.

Cylib's history is marked by rapid industrialization. After its founding in 2022 and initial seed funding rounds, the company launched a successful pilot line in Aachen in September 2023. In May 2024, cylib secured €55 million in a Series A funding round, the largest for a European battery recycling company at the time. This round was co-led by World Fund and Porsche Ventures, with participation from Bosch Ventures and others. The company is now scaling its operations and building its first industrial-scale plant at Chempark Dormagen, which is scheduled to be operational in 2026 with an annual recycling capacity of 30,000 tons.

The founding team has deep roots in battery recycling research. Lilian Schwich is a recognized researcher in the field, having focused her doctoral work on lithium recovery. Paul Sabarny specialized in process engineering and recycling during his studies at RWTH Aachen and worked as a research assistant in the field before co-founding the company. Keywords: battery recycling, lithium-ion, circular economy, raw materials recovery, hydrometallurgy, cleantech, electric vehicles, sustainable technology, graphite recovery, lithium recovery, cobalt recovery, manganese recovery, nickel recovery, production scrap recycling, end-of-life batteries, European supply chain, green technology, automotive industry, battery materials, waste valorization