Li-Cycle, a Canadian lithium-ion battery manufacturer and recycler, has commenced commercial operations at its first spoke recycling facility in Europe in Magdeburg, Germany. The spoke uses Li-Cycle's patented Generation 3 spoke technology to directly process all forms of lithium-ion battery waste, including full EV battery packs.

The first main processing line is currently operational, whereas the second main line is expected to be operational in late 2023. Each main line can process up to 10,000 tons of lithium-ion battery material annually, with an additional 10,000 tons of ancillary capacity planned, bringing the total facility capacity to 30,000 metric tons per year. This makes the German spoke the largest in Li-Cycle's current portfolio and reportedly one of the largest facilities on the continent.

The Germany Spoke is more than 20,000 sq m (~200,000 sq ft) in size, and has approximately 10,000 sq m (~100,000 sq ft) in warehousing capacity. The spoke has also created around 50 new jobs. 

Analyst QuickTake: Germany Spoke is the latest addition to Li-Cycle's network of four operating spokes, located in Kingston, Ontario; Rochester , New York; Gilbert, Arizona , and Tuscaloosa, Alabama , resulting in a total input processing capacity of up to 81,000 tons of lithium-ion battery material per year. The company also has additional European spokes planned in France and Norway . In May 2023, the company also formed a 50-50 joint venture with Glencore to create a new hub in Portovesme, Italy.