Circu Li-ion, the Luxembourg startup that also operates in Germany, continues to climb the ladder. Winner of the Cyel competition in 2022 and of last year’s regional Startup World Cup, it recently entered into a strategic partnership with Amazon. The aim of the partnership is to extend the life of batteries used in logistics processes. The project is part of the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator, a programme which, from 2022, will provide financial support to around 40 European startups working towards more sustainable solutions.
By teaming up with Circu Li-ion, Amazon is betting on the future of its electric fleet. Founded in 2021, the startup has developed an automated solution for dismantling and diagnosing batteries, enabling up to 90% of their cells to be recovered. It also offers a second life application, reducing CO2 emissions from batteries by 48% compared with their traditional life cycle. In simple terms, Circu Li-ion recycles batteries by checking and reusing cells that are still functional, thereby limiting waste. Thanks to this technology, Amazon will be able to reduce its carbon footprint, in particular by optimising the use of its electric vehicle batteries.
“Our ambition is to revolutionise the battery industry by giving a second life to three billion batteries by 2040,” says Antoine Welter, co-founder and CEO of Circu Li-ion. “We are proud to be part of a programme that encourages sustainable innovation and are delighted to be working with Amazon to evolve together, so we can continue to make a positive impact on the climate.”
Over the course of the six-month pilot project, which will begin after September 2024, Circu Li-ion and Amazon will jointly process batteries for electric vehicles in Amazon’s delivery network, using the start-up’s innovative technology. “By testing unique technologies under real-world conditions, we are not only reducing our environmental impact, but also creating a model for sustainable practices across the industry,” says Amazon’s director of sustainability, Justine Mahler. If the project proves successful, it could lead to a long-term partnership between the American giant and the startup.