BMW Australia Launches EV Battery Recycling Program with EcoBatt

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BMW Group Australia has announced a major step toward sustainable electric mobility, partnering with Victorian recycler EcoBatt to launch a new national program for recycling electric vehicle batteries. The initiative focuses on giving high-voltage lithium-ion batteries from BMW and Mini EVs a second life or a responsible end once they can no longer power vehicles.

The partnership builds on EcoBatt’s growing prominence in Australia’s recycling sector, coming just weeks after the company opened the world’s first battery-in-device shredding (BIDS) facility in Campbellfield, Victoria.

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The move addresses one of the key questions facing EV adoption — what happens to batteries when they reach the end of their life or are damaged. BMW’s program ensures these batteries are handled safely and locally, reducing environmental risks and dependence on overseas processing.

Here’s how the recycling loop works:

• Collection: End-of-life or damaged EV batteries are transported from BMW and Mini dealerships to EcoBatt’s Campbellfield plant.
• Safe discharge: Batteries are safely de-energised, and recovered energy is reused to power the facility itself.
• Shredding process: The batteries are mechanically shredded using the BIDS technology.
• Material recovery: The process produces black mass, a mix of valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and graphite.
• Recycling for reuse: This black mass is sent to refiners who extract the minerals for reuse in new battery production.

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This full-circle process not only reduces waste but also creates a sustainable materials supply chain for Australia’s growing EV industry.

EcoBatt’s Groundbreaking BIDS Facility

EcoBatt’s Campbellfield facility represents a major leap in local battery recycling. Opened less than two months ago, it’s the first plant in the world capable of safely shredding batteries still embedded in everyday products such as vapes, phones, power tools, and now EV packs.

According to Doug Rowe, CEO of the EcoCycle Group (EcoBatt’s parent company):

“Every home has products with hidden batteries, and until now there hasn’t been a dedicated way to recover them at scale. This plant gives Australians confidence that recycling happens safely, onshore, and responsibly.”

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The plant’s capacity highlights its potential impact

• Can process up to 5,000 tonnes of batteries per year
• Recovers over 90 per cent of materials including metals and plastics
• Powers part of its operations with energy recovered from discharged EV batteries

This integration of recycling and self-sustainability reduces emissions and reinforces Australia’s role in the global clean energy supply chain.

A Circular Future for BMW and Mini EVs

Through this partnership, BMW is closing the loop on its EV lifecycle, from design to recycling. The company’s focus on responsible end-of-life management complements its broader sustainability strategy, ensuring its electric models contribute to a cleaner future beyond the road.

The collaboration also sets a precedent for other automakers in Australia, showing how industry partnerships can build the infrastructure needed for large-scale EV recycling and resource recovery.