Iveco Group Chooses BASF as First Recycling Partner for EV Batteries

Iveco Group has chosen BASF, the biggest chemical supplier for the automotive industry, as its first partner to provide a recycling solution for the lithium-ion batteries of its electric vehicles (EVs). This decision is part of Iveco’s strategy to increase the lifetime of the batteries while decreasing their overall environmental impact.

BASF will organise and manage the entire recycling process for the lithium-ion batteries used on Iveco Group electric vans, buses and trucks.

The agreement includes the collection, packaging, transport, and recycling of batteries, in various European countries including, among others, France, Germany and UK.

After collection, BASF will mechanically process the batteries to black mass, from which critical raw materials – such as nickel, cobalt, lithium – can be extracted and recovered for use in the manufacturing of new batteries. 

Angela Qu, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Iveco Group, says: “Life cycle thinking is one of our strategic sustainability priorities, BASF shares this approach with us, and its broad battery collection network and recycling capabilities in Europe will help us close the loop from end-of-life batteries to new ones. Working together we will enable a circular economy and reduce our CO₂ footprint, which is fully in line with the Group’s commitment to reach net zero carbon by 2040.”

“The partnership with Iveco Group is our first agreement to recycle batteries from electric vans, buses and trucks and an important step for our battery recycling business to expand our activities into the commercial vehicle space”, adds Dr. Daniel Schönfelder, President of BASF’s Catalysts division. “It will allow us to further strengthen our European collection network and make further progress in this developing market. With our recycling solutions, we aim to support the European market to close the loop and meet the ambitious circular economy-focused policy requirements of the EU Battery Regulation.”

Iveco Group's product range includes Light, Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (IVECO), Powertrain (FPT Industrial), Buses (HEULIEZ, IVECO BUS), Financial Services (IVECO CAPITAL), Specialty Vehicles (IDV, ASTRA and MAGIRUS).