3rd International Zirkular Bat Workshop. The battery life cycle in electromobility: from repairing to recycling

DATE 26 june 2026

TIME 08:30 - 14:00

LOCATION Naturklima

Organized by

This event is organized by CIDETEC Energy Storage, GIPUZKOA Jasangarritasuna Sostenibilidad, Natur Klima and BEPA.

Description

Free registration
Limited to 120 participants
Language: English (with simultaneous translation into Spanish)

The transformation of sustainable transport is moving forward strongly, and the circular economy is positioned as the essential driver to guarantee the sector's competitiveness. On this occasion, the meeting will focus on the challenges and breakthroughs in repair, remanufacturing, and repurposing (second life), as well as the new frontiers of recycling.

We will feature the participation of leading OEMs and industry frontrunners, who will share their key approaches to closing the battery life cycle and leading the industry toward a fully efficient and sustainable model.

Programme

JUNE 26TH, 2026

08:30 - 09:00
Registration
09:00 - 09:15
Institutional opening

GIPUZKOA PROVINCIAL COUNCIL
José Ignacio Asensio – Deputy of Sustainability
09:15 - 09:25
Introduction to the workshop

CIDETEC Energy Storage
Oscar Miguel – Deputy Director
09:25 - 09:50
Battery Circularity – BMW Vision

Franz Geyer – BMW
09:50 - 10:15
Repair First – Why battery sustainability begins in the workshop, not the recycling plant

Vanja Katic & Otto Behrend – EV Clinic
10:15 - 10:40
Use EV with Confidence by Remanufactured battery

Sanguk Lee & Yohan Kim – POEN Europe
10:40 - 11:10
Coffee Break
11:10 - 11:45
Understanding the Global Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Market

Didi Bostock – Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
11:45 - 12:15
Building a circular battery value chain within Europe – Perspective of black mass refiner

Nils Steinbrecher – Cylib
12:15 - 12:35
Smart recovery of Battery Materials

Ángel Manuel Escamilla Pérez – Leitat
12:35 - 13:00
Open discussion

Moderated by:
CIDETEC Energy Storage
13:00 - 14:00
Networking Lunch

Speakers

Franz Geyer

BMW

Franz Geyer, who holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from TU Dresden, has been the Director of Zero Emission Technologies at BMW since 2004. An expert in decarbonization and electric mobility, he leads the powertrain strategy and sustainable supply chains. His influence extends to key European Union bodies, where he serves as a board member for BEPA and KLIB, and leads the EURIAS expert group. With a solid foundation in R&D and strategic partnerships, Geyer is a central figure in the global transition toward emission-neutral transport.

Abstract

BMW positions the circular economy as a core strategic pillar, fully integrated across its value chain and aligned with both economic and sustainability KPIs. To support this strategy, BMW operates dedicated recycling facilities and is expanding its infrastructure, including new plants for advanced and battery recycling starting in 2026.

Vanja Katić

EV Clinic

Vanja Katić is the founder and CEO of EV Clinic, a Zagreb-based EV repair and R&D company focused on battery systems, reverse engineering and sustainable repair solutions. He began repairing electronics as a teenager, later studied robotics and automation, and has worked with electric vehicles since 2011. Known for developing in-house diagnostic tools and repair methods, he advocates for an EV aftermarket built on diagnosis, repair and longer vehicle lifecycles.

Abstract

In this session, EV Clinic will explore the deeper factors that decide whether an EV battery pack can remain useful, safe and economically viable throughout its life: repairability, modularity, failure diagnosis, mechanical design, sealing, cell architecture and access to technical data. Based on real-world teardown and repair experience, Vanja Katić and Otto Behrend will show why true battery sustainability is not achieved at the recycling plant, but much earlier — in the workshop, through smart diagnostics, targeted repair and designs that keep vehicles on the road instead of sending battery packs to waste.

Otto Behrend

EV Clinic

Otto Behrend is Co-Founder and Managing Director of EV Clinic Berlin / AddCycle, where he works on high-voltage battery diagnostics, repair and remanufacturing for electric vehicles. He is also a researcher at Berliner Hochschule für Technik, with a background in mechatronics and battery measurement technologies. In Berlin, he leads a team focused on making EV repair more scalable, resource-efficient and technically rigorous.

Lee Sanguk

POEN Europe

Lee Sanguk serves as the CEO and Sales Director, bringing a specialized technical background with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology).
His professional career is marked by a decade of experience in the industrial and automotive sectors. He spent six years at Hyundai Motors, where he focused on Energy New Business Development and Quality & Warranty Policy, followed by four years as a Managing Director at POEN. Additionally, he gained foundational expertise during two years as a Power Plant Engineer at Hyundai Heavy Industries.
Through these diverse leadership and engineering roles, he has developed extensive expertise in energy business strategy, quality management, and industrial operations.

Abstract

The circular economy is transforming the electric vehicle sector by focusing on battery remanufacturing to extend service life. Using real-world examples, this presentation explores the technologies, processes, and business models driving this shift, alongside regulatory and market challenges. It offers a practical look at future opportunities and the strategic role of POEN Europe within this evolving sustainable ecosystem.

Kim Yohan

POEN Europe

Kim Yohan serves as the Finance Manager and Sales Assistant, bringing a background in Hotel & Tourism Management with a Bachelor's degree from Sejong University.
He has built a robust professional career over six years, specializing in corporate finance and fiscal management. His experience includes a three-year tenure at SEOJIN as an Accounting & Taxation Manager, followed by three years at POEN in his current role as Finance Manager. Throughout his career, he has developed a strong expertise in balancing rigorous financial oversight with strategic sales support.

Didi Bostock

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

Didi Bostock brings a wealth of experience from across all research departments at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, spanning downstream demand through to the midstream, mining and recycling sectors. He has advised on consulting projects worth millions of dollars for both government bodies and private companies, delivering expertise across strategic advisory and debt financing.

Abstract

In 2025, the global recycling market underwent a major regulatory shift as Europe and India made efforts to restrict the export of black mass, whilst China legalised black mass’ importation. Not only did this influence prices and trade flows, it has also altered the types of commercial arrangements and technologies being developed regionally. This presentation will put forward Benchmark’s perspective on the current global recycling market as well as how we expect it to evolve in 2026 and beyond.

Nils Steinbrecher

Cylib

Responsible for the sales of cylib’s products and implementing the team’s mission is to make cylib the European leader in Battery Recycling by supporting clients to close the loop in a circular economy.
Earlier MD for SK tes, VP for VDE Renewables‘APAC Battery Testing and Services. Worked extensively in APAC (15 years) and Europe on sustainability related services including Climate Change, Energy Efficiency, EHS and operational excellence with companies like ERM, DuPont, JMJ and others.

Abstract

A spin-off of RWTH Aachen University, Cylib is a leader in European battery recycling through its water-based hydrometallurgical technology. Its plant in Germany annually processes the equivalent of 140,000 vehicles, recovering lithium, nickel, and cobalt with 90% efficiency. This end-to-end solution reduces the carbon footprint by 80%, bolstering European strategic autonomy and decreasing reliance on foreign primary mining.

Ángel Manuel Escamilla Pérez

Leitat

Ángel Escamilla-Pérez holds a PhD in Physics and Physical Chemistry of Materials from the University of Montpellier, France. He has been working in the fields of environmental technologies and energy storage since 2014 and joined Leitat in 2022. He is currently a Senior Researcher in Battery Raw Materials, leading the development of next-generation materials and advanced recycling technologies. He coordinates national and European projects, including RESTORE, BATRAW and AM4BAT.

Abstract

The growing volume of end-of-life batteries requires urgent, safe and sustainable recycling solutions. In contrast to conventional mechanical recycling routes, which mix materials and pose safety risks, Leitat has developed an intelligent recovery strategy based on contactless X-ray sorting and artificial intelligence-powered vision systems. This approach enables the identification of different battery chemistries prior to treatment. In addition, semi-automated and remote dismantling procedures are implemented for battery modules and packs. These innovations maximize the recovery of critical raw materials and strengthen the resilience of the European battery ecosystem.

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