Clarios, the manufacturer who produces VARTA automotive batteries, has completed the acquisition of three battery recycling centres in Germany and Austria, significantly expanding its recycling footprint in Europe and strengthening its closed‑loop battery supply chain.

With all regulatory approvals now finalised, Clarios is integrating recycling operations in Freiberg and Braubach, Germany, and Arnoldstein, Austria, reinforcing its role as a key enabler of the circular economy and supporting Europe’s ambition for more sustainable and resilient industrial value chains.

The additional facilities substantially increase Clarios’ ability to recover critical materials, including lead and polypropylene, and reuse them in the production of new low-voltage batteries. This strengthens supply security while reducing reliance on primary raw materials and lowering the environmental footprint across the battery lifecycle.

“This acquisition is a strategic step forward for Clarios in Europe,” said Werner Benade, President at Clarios EMEA. “By expanding our recycling and material recovery capabilities, we are building a more resilient and sustainable supply chain that supports upcoming EU battery regulations and delivers real environmental benefits for customers and communities alike.”

Supporting EU Circular Economy and Upcoming Vehicle & Battery Regulations 

The integration brings several strategic advantages:

• Expanded Lead Recycling Capacity: Enabling closed‑loop recovery of materials from end‑of‑life batteries at greater scale.
• Polypropylene Recycling and Compounding: Establishing Clarios’ first in‑house polypropylene compounding capability, aligned with EU requirements for recycled plastic content in automotive applications.
• Stronger European Supply Chain Resilience: Enhancing regional recycling and material processing capabilities to meet growing demand for sustainable battery solutions.

With the expanded recycling network, Clarios advances its commitment to a fully integrated, closed‑loop business model – helping ensure that millions of vehicles across Europe are powered by batteries made with responsibly sourced and recycled materials.