Batteries are the heart of many electrical devices. They are full of sought-after metals. But large parts have so far ended up in the trash. The Munich start-up Tozero wants to change this – with recycling that promises high yields.
Virtually every item that contains a rechargeable battery contains lithium. A laptop or smartphone only needs a few grams, while an electric car battery can take ten kilograms. These energy storage devices are driving the green and digital transition, and lithium-ion batteries are booming. But experts fear that the raw material could soon become scarce. A problem for Germany, which has so far covered its lithium needs entirely through imports.