Porsche manufactures pilot battery cells with 100% recycled cathode material

Porsche, in partnership with the German recycling firm cylib, has successfully manufactured pilot battery cells using 100% recycled cathode active material. The materials—including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese—were recovered from Porsche’s own end-of-life high-voltage batteries through a water-based processing method.

The project follows a three-stage process involving mechanical disassembly, the creation of “black mass,” and the subsequent refinement of raw materials into high-purity components. These new cells are currently undergoing testing to ensure they meet the performance and quality standards required for high-performance electric vehicles. Porsche aims to integrate recycled materials into new battery cell production starting in 2028.

This technological milestone significantly exceeds upcoming European Union mandates. Under the EU Batteries Regulation, new batteries will only be required to contain 6% recycled lithium and nickel, and 16% recycled cobalt by August 2031. Porsche’s pilot achievement of 100% recycled cathode material demonstrates a viable path toward a closed-loop circular economy for EV manufacturing.