SMS group, a private German plant manufacturer, has acquired Primobius GmbH for an undisclosed amount, effectively taking full ownership of the battery recycling joint venture. Previously, Primobius operated as a partnership between SMS group and Australian-listed Neometals Ltd., established to commercialize an environmentally friendly recycling solution for end-of-life and scrap lithium-ion battery (LiB) cells. This acquisition marks a significant move by SMS group to consolidate its position in the rapidly expanding battery value chain.
Primobius is known for its advanced, proprietary two-step recycling process designed for lithium-ion batteries. The company's solutions enable the recovery of high-purity materials such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt from waste LiBs. This process integrates into the circular economy by promoting the continual use of resources, reducing the need for primary resources, and delivering materials back to the battery manufacturing sector with low CO2 emissions. Primobius builds scalable and sustainable plants, assisting recycling companies, battery manufacturers, and automotive OEMs in closing the material loop.
The acquisition is strategically significant for SMS group. Having already contributed its engineering expertise to Primobius's plant construction, SMS group can now fully integrate Primobius's material recovery technology and end-to-end recycling solutions into its core offerings. This move is expected to streamline operations, accelerate the deployment of sustainable battery recycling infrastructure, and enhance SMS group's ability to provide comprehensive solutions for the growing demand in electromobility and energy storage sectors.
By fully incorporating Primobius, SMS group reinforces its commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles. The combined entity is poised to further innovate in sustainable battery recycling, helping industries meet environmental goals and regulatory standards while supporting the secure and ethical supply of critical battery materials globally. The acquisition positions SMS group to be a leading force in developing and delivering vital solutions for a sustainable future of battery production and consumption.