Reconomy acquired the majority stake through its RLG brand
Reconomy, an international circular economy specialist, has acquired a majority stake in LiBCycle through Reverse Logistics Group (RLG) by Reconomy
LiBCycle provides an all-in-one logistics solution for defective lithium-ion batteries, including specialised packaging, loading, transportation, storage, and hazardous-waste handling, and operates more than 30 active cross-docking facilities across key European markets.
The acquisition of a majority stake in LiBCycle reinforces RLG’s advanced logistics infrastructure and data-driven tracking systems and materially improves RLG’s take-back and collection capabilities. These take-back schemes ensure materials are properly collected, processed, and transported to manufacturers, retailers, and third parties for recycling, reuse, and disposal. Take-back schemes are often operated through Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), and RLG is a trusted operator of PROs across a range of regulated product categories in various jurisdictions.
The transaction comes at the first generation of electric vehicles reaches end-of-life, bringing rising volumes of used batteries and new material streams onto the market. New EU Battery Regulations are also expanding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements across the industrial and automotive sectors, increasing the need for robust, compliant collection and recovery infrastructure.
The EU predicts a 14-fold increase in lithium-ion battery usage by 2030, making an efficient ecosystem critical to ensuring valuable materials are recovered and returned to the supply chain.
Guy Wakeley, chief executive of Reconomy, said, “This is an important milestone that comes at a critical moment for the European battery circular economy, with growing volumes of end-of-life batteries coming onto the market and regulation evolving rapidly. This transaction positions us well to help more businesses keep valuable materials in circulation, meet compliance requirements, lower costs and emissions, while also strengthening our position in our core international markets.”
Patrick Wiedemann, chief executive of Reconomy’s Comply division, said, “This acquisition strengthens RLG’s Comply Loop by adding advanced EV battery recycling logistics to our portfolio. Building on our successful partnership with LiBCycle, we can now offer producers, retailers, and recyclers safe and more efficient recovery solutions for lithium-ion batteries. As a leading operator of PROs with a global network of over 40 schemes, RLG is uniquely positioned to drive sustainability in the fast-growing e-mobility sector. Together, we become a global leader connecting the automotive industry with the battery downstream processors, cementing our leading position in automotive workshop disposal solutions.”
Philipp Brunotte, co-founder and managing director of LiBCycle, said, “We have made it our mission to make the circular economy of defective lithium-ion batteries more efficient through our all-in-one logistics service. This transaction was a logical next step for our business. By combining our expertise with RLG’s 30 years of global experience and regulatory know-how, advanced logistics, we can strengthen our customer offering and accelerate growth.”
