LiBCycle

What LiBCycle does

LiBCycle GmbH is a Munich-based, majority-owned subsidiary of Reconomy's Reverse Logistics Group (since January 2026), specializing in full-service logistics for defective and end-of-life lithium-ion EV batteries across Europe. The company was founded in late 2020 by Philipp Brunotte and Áron Németh, and generates revenue from a B2B enterprise model targeting electric-vehicle OEMs and battery recyclers. Its service portfolio spans battery classification (via telematics), packing and loading, dangerous-goods and waste transport, consolidation storage (up to 12 months), and optional recycling through a partner network.

The company's core product is the proprietary LiBCycle Battery Box — an aluminium transport container the size of a Euro pallet, certified under UN dangerous-goods packaging regulations P903, P908, P909, and P910. The box features a patented plug-in loading system that enables fast, intuitive loading of varied battery geometries without external components such as pyrobubbles or cushions, reducing operator-error risk. Fixed fireproof padding and absorbent glass-fibre material provide additional safety. The box is sold, rented, or leased as a standalone product or bundled with LiBCycle's logistics services, and the company operates its own ADR-certified fleet of dangerous-goods vehicles.

LiBCycle's commercial model combines equipment revenue (box purchase/rental/lease), professional-services fees for classification, transport, storage, and recycling, with quote-based pricing and multi-year contracts. Disclosed annual revenue reached EUR 4.1 million in 2025. Distribution is primarily direct via the company website's transport-request flow and through the Reconomy/RLG network of 30+ European cross-docking facilities and the REBAT take-back system of 65,500+ collection points in Germany. The company is also developing a cloud-based platform to connect battery-industry stakeholders and enable predictive capabilities, though this remains on the roadmap.

Name

LiBCycle

Legal name

LiBCycle GmbH

Website

https://libcycle.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

LiBCycle provides full-service European logistics for defective and end-of-life lithium-ion EV batteries, offering a proprietary UN-certified Battery Box, classification, ADR-certified transport, storage, and recycling services to OEMs and battery recyclers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Battery Logistics and Hazardous Materials Transport

NAICS

Waste Collection (5621), Warehousing and Storage (493), Other Waste Collection (562119)

SIC

Hazardous Waste Management (4955), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Collection, Logistics & Reverse Supply Chain (Transport, Sorting, Tracking) (EUAFACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Battery Collection & Logistics (Sorting, Packaging, Transport Compliance) (EUAIAIAE), Compliance, EPR & Battery Passport Services (Regulatory Reporting, Traceability, Audits) (EUAFACAJ), Battery Recycling, Second-Life & End-of-Life Handling Services (TLAKAMAD)

Keywords

• Dangerous goods transport
• Lithium-ion battery logistics
• UN-certified battery packaging
• EV battery recycling
• Hazardous waste transport

Headquarters

HQ city

München

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Battery Box Sales and Rental/Leasing: Customers can buy, rent, or lease the proprietary LiBCycle Battery Box depending on their specific needs. The boxes are available in various sizes for different module geometries.
2. Logistics and Transport Services: Full-service logistics including classification, packing, loading, transport, and storage of lithium-ion batteries using the company's own fleet and ADR-trained personnel. Services cover both dangerous goods transport and waste transport internationally.
3. Battery Recycling Services: Optional recycling services through a partner network, completing the full-service circular economy offering. Customers receive certification of recycling upon completion.
4. Consolidation and Storage Services: Legally compliant temporary interim storage of hazardous and non-hazardous battery waste for up to 12 months for consolidation purposes, with all necessary permits in place.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

LiBCycle provides an end-to-end full-service logistics solution for defective lithium-ion batteries, anchored by its proprietary LiBCycle Battery Box — a UN-certified (P903, P908, P909, P910) aluminium transport container with a patented plug-in loading system. The service covers battery classification, certified packaging, ADR-compliant transport using the company's own fleet, temporary storage for up to 12 months, and optional recycling via partner networks, primarily serving OEMs, EV manufacturers, and battery recyclers across Europe.

Product overview

LiBCycle offers an integrated full-service logistics ecosystem for defective lithium-ion batteries, anchored by its proprietary LiBCycle Box—a UN-certified aluminium transport container with patented plug-in technology. The core offering combines the battery transport box (available for purchase, rental, or lease) with complementary service modules including battery classification via telematics, trained packing and loading services, storage and consolidation (up to 12 months), dangerous goods transport with ADR certification, waste transport using proprietary fleet, and optional recycling through partners. The company is also developing a cloud-based platform to interconnect battery industry stakeholders and enable process automation with predictive capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LiBCycle Box (Battery Transport Box) A specially developed aluminium transport box for lithium-ion batteries featuring a patented plug-in system, fireproof padding, and certified under UN regulations P903, P908, P909 and P910. Sold, rented, or leased as a ready-made complete system enabling simple, intuitive, fast, and safe battery loading and unloading without external consumables (pyrobubbles or cushions).
• Battery Classification Service Telematics-based battery classification service performed by LiBCycle's expert team, enabling remote assessment without travel. The company assumes full liability for legally compliant classification of batteries.
• Dangerous Goods Transport International hazardous goods transport service with all necessary legal certificates, permits, and ADR equipment for compliant and reliable battery logistics across Europe.
• Waste Transport Service International transport of hazardous and non-hazardous battery waste using LiBCycle's own fleet with ADR- and waste-trained personnel for compliant end-to-end battery waste logistics.
• Storage and Consolidation Service Legally compliant temporary interim storage of hazardous and non-hazardous battery waste for up to 12 months for consolidation purposes, with all necessary permits obtained.
• Battery Recycling Service Optional recycling service delivered through LiBCycle's partner network, providing end-to-end battery disposal with certification of recycled materials provided to the customer upon completion.
• Packing and Loading Service Trained personnel service for packing and loading of batteries at customer sites. LiBCycle assumes full liability for legally compliant loading of batteries into LiBCycle Boxes.

Quantifiable outcome

• EUR 4.1 million in annual revenues (2025)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Reconomy (Reverse Logistics Group / RLG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026Reconomy, a London-based circular economy specialist, acquired a majority stake in LiBCycle in January 2026 through its Reverse Logistics Group (RLG) subsidiary. The acquisition significantly enhances RLG's take-back and collection infrastructure for battery recycling, adding over 30 cross-docking facilities across European markets and access to Germany's REBAT system with 65,500+ collection points. LiBCycle founders retain a 49% shareholding and will continue leading the company alongside RLG. The transaction positions LiBCycle to capitalise on rising volumes of end-of-life EV batteries and expanded Extended Producer Responsibility requirements under new EU Battery Regulations.
• InTime Express Logistik GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiBCycle GmbH partnered with InTime Express Logistik GmbH from Isernhagen, which holds a majority stake in LiBCycle. The partnership combines InTime's logistics expertise, particularly in agile logistics for the automotive industry and dangerous goods transport, with LiBCycle's innovative battery transport box solution. InTime provides a reliable logistics service with its own fleet, complementing LiBCycle's packaging innovation. This combines startup innovation and dynamism with the expertise and scale of an established enterprise.
• Recycling Partners (Unnamed)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiBCycle partners with unnamed recycling companies that fulfill high quality standards and use modern technology to recycle batteries. LiBCycle offers optional recycling services through this partner network, delivering certification of recycling to customers upon completion.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• InTime Express Logistik GmbH: German dangerous goods logistics specialist and historically LiBCycle's majority owner. Operates its own ADR-certified fleet serving automotive customers with time-critical and hazardous transport needs, directly comparable to LiBCycle's core service model.
• Streck Transport GmbH: German logistics provider specializing in time-critical and dangerous goods transport, including lithium-ion battery shipments. Comparable to LiBCycle in serving automotive and industrial customers with ADR-certified hazardous materials handling.

Broad incumbents

• Deutsche Post DHL (DHL Supply Chain): Global logistics incumbent with established dangerous goods capabilities, automotive customer relationships, and reverse logistics offerings. DHL's scale and existing automotive contracts position it as a potential competitor or partner for scaled battery logistics services.
• Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest freight forwarders with dedicated dangerous goods and automotive logistics practices. Comparable to LiBCycle in serving OEM customers with specialized transport requirements, though at vastly greater scale and as part of a broader portfolio.
• DSV A/S: Global transport and logistics provider with strong European road freight and dangerous goods capabilities following its acquisition of DB Schenker. Comparable as a potential scaled entrant into EV battery logistics leveraging automotive and ADR-certified expertise.
• DACHSER SE: European-headquartered logistics provider with established dangerous goods and automotive industry practices. Comparable to LiBCycle in serving industrial customers with specialized transport and warehousing needs across European markets.
• DB Schenker: European land transport and contract logistics provider with dangerous goods capabilities and automotive industry focus. Now part of DSV, but historically a relevant comparable in dangerous goods and European automotive logistics.
• Rhenus Logistics: European logistics provider with specialized services in dangerous goods, automotive, and recycling/reverse logistics. Comparable to LiBCycle in offering multimodal and specialized industrial transport solutions across European markets.

Emerging players

• Batrec Industrie AG: Swiss battery recycler operating one of Europe's earliest lithium-ion battery recycling facilities. Comparable to LiBCycle as a specialized player in the battery circular economy value chain, though focused on processing rather than logistics.
• Northvolt AB: European battery manufacturer and recycler developing vertically integrated battery lifecycle capabilities including collection and recycling infrastructure. Comparable as a strategic participant in the European battery circular economy with overlapping logistics and recycling ambitions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/libcycle-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about LiBCycle