- Tupy has launched a pilot facility to recover critical battery materials through advanced recycling processes.
- The company aims to scale capacity to 10,000 tons annually by 2028.
Tupy has taken a strategic step into the battery recycling sector by commissioning a pilot facility at the Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas, situated within the University of São Paulo campus in Brazil. This initiative reflects the company’s focus on building capabilities in recovering valuable materials from end-of-life batteries while supporting a more sustainable supply chain. The move aligns with growing global demand for efficient recycling systems as electric mobility adoption accelerates and raw material constraints intensify.
End-to-End Battery Recycling Process Integration
The pilot plant is engineered to manage the complete recycling workflow, beginning with battery dismantling and mechanical processing to generate black mass. This intermediate material is then treated through hydrometallurgical processes to extract high-value elements such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite. By recovering these materials, the facility aims to reintegrate them into battery manufacturing cycles, reducing dependence on primary mining activities and enhancing resource efficiency across the value chain.
Operational Capacity and Industry Collaboration
With an annual recycling capacity of 400 tons, the pilot unit is capable of processing approximately 1,000 electric vehicle battery components. The operation currently collaborates with seven suppliers spanning automotive, telecommunications, and information technology sectors, ensuring a diversified feedstock stream. This multi-industry participation strengthens the plant’s ability to handle varied battery chemistries and formats, contributing to process optimization and scalability insights.
Investment Backing and Future Expansion Plans
Initiated in 2021, the project has secured BRL 40 million in funding from Finep, supporting research, infrastructure, and process development. Looking ahead, Tupy plans to transition from pilot to full-scale industrial operations by 2028. The long-term objective is to achieve an annual recycling capacity of up to 10,000 tons, positioning the company as a significant player in the battery circular economy and reinforcing Brazil’s role in sustainable materials recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of Tupy’s battery recycling pilot plant in Brazil?
The pilot plant is designed to establish a complete battery recycling process, enabling recovery of valuable materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt for reuse in new batteries. It integrates dismantling, black mass production, and hydrometallurgical extraction to create a closed-loop system. By doing so, Tupy aims to reduce reliance on raw material mining, support sustainability goals, and prepare for large-scale industrial recycling operations planned for the future.
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