Reconomy, an international circular economy specialist, has acquired a majority stake in LiBCycle through Reverse Logistics Group (RLG) by Reconomy.
Munich-based LiBCycle provides an all-in-one logistics solution for defective lithium-ion batteries, including specialist packaging, loading, transportation, storage and hazardous waste handling. It operates over 30 active cross-docking facilities across key European markets. Its customer base includes leading manufacturers and battery recyclers.
The acquisition of a majority stake in LiBCycle strengthens RLG’s advanced logistics infrastructure and data-driven tracking systems and materially enhances RLG’s take-back and collection capabilities. These take-back schemes ensure that materials such as lithium-ion batteries are properly collected, processed and transported to manufacturers, retailers or third parties for recycling, reuse or disposal.
Take-back schemes are typically operated through Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) and RLG is a trusted operator of PROs across a wide range of regulated product categories in multiple jurisdictions. One such PRO is REBAT, Germany’s largest take-back system for the collection, return and recycling of all types of batteries, with over 65,500 collection points and more than 10,000 producers.
The transaction comes as the first generation of electric vehicles reaches end-of-life, bringing increasing volumes of used batteries and new material streams onto the market. At the same time, new EU Battery Regulations are expanding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements to industrial and automotive batteries, increasing the need for robust, compliant collection and recovery infrastructure. With the EU forecasting a 14-fold increase in lithium-ion battery usage by 2030, an efficient ecosystem is essential to ensure valuable materials are recovered and returned to the supply chain.
Published January 2026
