In Schwarzheide, Germany, BASF is preparing to start up a prototype metal refinery plant early 2024. The prototype plant will play a vital role in developing operational procedures and optimizing innovative battery recycling technology to be used in a planned large-scale refinery. BASF aims to achieve superior recovery rates of valuable metals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and copper as it scales up this technology. With the process, BASF will be able to fulfil the yield requirements of the upcoming EU battery regulation. Next to the prototyping plant, BASF is constructing a commercial plant for production for black mass, which is planned to start operations mid-2024. With an input capacity of 15,000t/a recycling feed stemming from end-of-life batteries or waste from battery production, it will be one of the largest black mass production facilities in Europe.