SMS group’s acquisition of Neometals’ 50 percent stake marks the start of a new development phase for Primobius, focused on scaling operations and expanding into international markets.
 

  • 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

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.”

About Primobius
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.
For more information, visit www.primobius.com.

Über die SMS group GmbH

SMS group is renowned worldwide for its future-oriented technologies and outstanding service for the metals industry. The company applies its 150 years of experience and its digital know-how to provide the industry continuously with innovative products and processes – even beyond its core business – and generates worldwide sales of around 4 billion euros. SMS is the right partner for challenging projects, and supports its customers throughout the lifecycle of their plants, enabling profitable and resource-efficient value creation chains. Paving the way for a carbon-neutral and sustainable metals industry is the company’s stated goal. As a global player with German roots, SMS takes responsibility for its more than 13,500 employees.

Firmenkontakt und Herausgeber der Meldung:

SMS group GmbH
Am SMS Campus 1
41069 Mönchengladbach
Telefon: +49 2161 350-4449
http://www.sms-group.com

Ansprechpartner:
Kilian Rötzer
Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing
Telefon: +49 (211) 881-4127
Fax: +49 (211) 881-774127
E-Mail: kilian.roetzer@sms-group.com
Für die oben stehende Story ist allein der jeweils angegebene Herausgeber (siehe Firmenkontakt oben) verantwortlich. Dieser ist in der Regel auch Urheber des Pressetextes, sowie der angehängten Bild-, Ton-, Video-, Medien- und Informationsmaterialien. Die United News Network GmbH übernimmt keine Haftung für die Korrektheit oder Vollständigkeit der dargestellten Meldung. Auch bei Übertragungsfehlern oder anderen Störungen haftet sie nur im Fall von Vorsatz oder grober Fahrlässigkeit. Die Nutzung von hier archivierten Informationen zur Eigeninformation und redaktionellen Weiterverarbeitung ist in der Regel kostenfrei. Bitte klären Sie vor einer Weiterverwendung urheberrechtliche Fragen mit dem angegebenen Herausgeber. Eine systematische Speicherung dieser Daten sowie die Verwendung auch von Teilen dieses Datenbankwerks sind nur mit schriftlicher Genehmigung durch die United News Network GmbH gestattet.

counterpixel