Micromobility operator TIER has stepped up its commitment to recycle all elements of lithium-ion batteries in 16 key European markets by partnering with one of the world’s largest recycling companies, Remondis.
This means the batteries in more than 160,000 of TIER’s e-scooters as well as the firm’s new e-bikes will be recycled.
Precious metals such as cobalt, nickel and manganese will be recycled, minimising the need for primary resources in the production of new vehicles.
“The demand for lithium-ion batteries is on the rise in the micromobility sector and so it’s very important these minerals we recycle get back into the loop,” TIER’s Senior Sustainability Manager Julian Ahlers told Zag Daily.
“We need to separate the demand for new lithium-ion batteries from the demand for primary resources such as lithium and cobalt, by recycling batteries and turning them into secondary raw materials that can again be used for the manufacturing of new batteries.”
TIER’s batteries can currently last 400-700 cycles, which is approximately 2 to 3 years. It is at this point when the battery has reached its full “first life” that it can then be passed to Remondis to recycle.
The operator also provides a second-life solution for lithium-ion batteries through its partnership with Vertical Values where battery cells can be repurposed and turned into new products.
Lukas Wiedenmann, Key Account Manager at Remondis, added: “We are delighted to be working with TIER Mobility to make the future of electric micromobility even more sustainable and green. The CO2 savings and substitution of primary resources greatly protect the environment and alleviate the industry’s procurement pressure.”
