Clarios buys Ecobat's US recycling arm in $6B supply-chain push
What's the deal? Clarios has announced plans to acquire EcobatDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →'s North American operations, including three US critical mineral recovery and processing facilities. The deal value was not disclosed. It covers sites in City of Industry, California; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Middletown, New York, plus Ecobat's Dallas office.
What each side does: Clarios is a global supplier of low-voltage automotive batteries and energy storage. Ecobat recycles lead batteries in North America; its facilities process more than 40 million batteries a year, recovering lead, tin, antimony and other materials.
What's the endgame? The acquisition expands Clarios' closed-loop recycling model — collecting used batteries, recovering materials and reusing them in new ones. It forms part of a $6 billion US Energy Manufacturing Strategy that includes a $1.9 billion commitment to domestic critical mineral recycling and processing.
Why now? Recycled lead batteries are a major US source of recovered critical minerals used in defence and advanced technologies. The deal strengthens domestic supply as demand for these materials grows.
"As a world leader in critical minerals processing and recovery, Clarios is uniquely positioned to strengthen this highly capable US recycling operation," said Mark Wallace, chief executive of Clarios.
What about Ecobat? The sale completes a portfolio transformation launched in 2025. Over roughly 16 months, Ecobat completed 10 divestitures covering 17 sites across six countries, including the earlier sale of its German, Austrian and UK operations.
"This transaction completes the strategic initiative we announced with the earlier sale of our European operations, and it delivers a strong outcome for Ecobat's stakeholders," said Tom Slabe, president and chief executive of Ecobat.
What could go wrong? This remains a proposed deal. It is expected to close by early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals, and Clarios has said it will work with employees, union representatives and regulators during the transition.
The signal: The deal reflects a broader push to onshore critical mineral supply chains. For Clarios, bolting on established US recovery capacity is a targeted expansion of an existing network — not a bet on new battery chemistry — at a moment when supply chain resilience has become a strategic priority.
Read more: bestmag.co.uk
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