Energy giant Shell Announces EV Battery Recycling Cooperation With Circunomics

German green-tech startup Circunomics is working with the global energy giant Shell to combine its strength in the field of battery analytics and circular economy with Shell's experience and large network in this area. The main focus of the business relationship is the acquisition of new customers in the sector of automotive, energy storage and transport.

The partnership allows Circunomics to strengthen its e-mobility portfolio regarding battery evaluation, remarketing, and recycling in a single platform solution.

Circunomics creates 'digital twins' of EV batteries that are analysed using artificial intelligence (AI) based on the manufacturer's data.

In cooperation with the respective manufacturers, predictions regarding lifetime, remaining energy cycles and potential reuse scenarios can be made at an early stage.

Both Shell and Circunomics say they will benefit from the cooperation, 'as electromobility is one of the core topics for the Shell Group on its way to becoming a net-zero emission company'.

Circunomics CEO, Felix Wagner, says: "For us as a start-up, it is always a challenge to get a foot in the door with large companies from the automotive, energy and transport industries. At the beginning, there is often a lack of trust and openness towards young companies and innovations like the Circunomics platform. Therefore, we are excited that an established energy company like Shell supports us from now on with its large network and thus contributes to building trust in our platform for the industry." 

Ade Ajala - Vice President, Global Key Accounts, Strategic Alliances & Business Development, adds: "Shell's target is to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050. Becoming a net-zero emissions business means offering customers more low-carbon products, from renewable electricity, to charging for electric vehicles and hydrogen. Providing a resilient E-mobility charging infrastructure does therefore play an important role. Shell has set the target to enable 500,000 charging points until 2025 and more than 2.5 mln charging points until 2030. Furthermore, the sustainable treatment of resources, like batteries, does play a significant role for reducing the carbon footprint. We believe that Circunomics' Circular Battery Marketplace and Second Life Analytics can bring powerful value to our customers. We are looking forward to be a strong partner of Circunomics to accelerate the decarbonization of electric batteries through sustainable end of life management."

Founded in 2019, Circunomics provides digital twin technology and analytics software that monitor and predict the battery condition.