Primobius becomes wholly owned subsidiary of SMS group
Summary
- As of September 12, 2025, SMS group owns 100 percent of Primobius
- Primobius remains a legally independent entity within SMS group
- Long-term service agreement with Neometals ensures ongoing joint technology development
- Strengthened foundation for the global roll-out of sustainable, industrial-scale lithium-ion battery recycling plants
Möchengladbach, Germany, September 18, 2025 – Metalshub, the leading software for digitalising raw materials trading in the metals and mining industry, is pleased to announce that Primobius GmbH, an end-to-end solutions provider in lithium-ion battery recycling, has joined its ecosystem. Primobius focuses on providing advanced recycling solutions to support a circular economy for battery materials. This collaboration marks an important step towards enhancing digital innovation and commercial transparency in the black mass market.
Primobius GmbH, a provider of end-to-end solutions for the sustainable recycling of lithium-ion batteries, is now a wholly owned subsidiary of SMS group, following the acquisition of Neometals’ 50 percent stake on September 12, 2025. This strategic move lays the foundation for the next stage of Primobius’ expansion in the field of sustainable, industrial-scale battery recycling plants.
Primobius will continue to operate as an independent legal entity within SMS group, managing its operational activities autonomously. At the same time, the company will benefit from access to SMS group’s global resources, extensive engineering expertise, and worldwide network.
Primobius offers multi-stage recycling solutions that recover battery materials at high purity levels while minimizing environmental impact. The company covers all stages of the lithium-ion battery recycling process — from discharging, dismantling, shredding, and beneficiation to hydrometallurgical refining — enabling a closed-loop cycle for valuable battery materials.
“With the full acquisition of Primobius, we are strengthening our group-wide capabilities in sustainable battery recycling and sending a clear message about our long-term commitment to this growth market,” said Thomas Hansmann, CTO of SMS group. “We are reinforcing Primobius’ market position and supporting the company as it deploys its industrial-scale recycling plants worldwide.”
The acquisition paves the way for Primobius to move from a successful joint development and pilot stage with Neometals and SMS group to deploying and scaling its technology worldwide.
Michel Siemon, CEO of Primobius, emphasized: “Together with our shareholders, we have developed a battery recycling solution that already sets international benchmarks. Our close collaboration with Neometals has been instrumental in achieving this and will continue under our long-term service agreement. We are proud to provide our customers with battery recycling plants that recover critical raw materials in high purity, maintain valuable resources in the loop, and make a measurable contribution to the sustainability of the industry.”
Primobius provides end-to-end solutions and builds battery recycling plants for the efficient recycling of lithium-ion batteries – a sector of growing importance amid rising global demand for energy storage. Primobius’ recycling plants meet high quality, environmental, and occupational safety standards. They enable operators to recover critical battery metals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt in high purity from a wide range of cell chemistries, designs, and formats, and reintroduce them into battery supply chains. As a legally independent subsidiary of SMS group, Primobius benefits from global resources, extensive engineering expertise, and an international network.