Vianode and cylib are joining forces to close the loop on battery graphite
Oslo, Norway / Aachen, Germany, June 2, 2026 — Vianode, an advanced battery materials company, and cylib, a specialist in sustainable battery recycling and graphite recovery, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlining their intention to collaborate on the development and potential future supply of recycled graphite for next-generation batteries.
Under the MoU, the companies will explore opportunities to integrate graphite concentrate recovered and produced through cylib's proprietary OLiC (Optimized Lithium and Graphite Recovery) technology into Vianode's next-generation anode production, with cylib supplying high-quality recycled graphite concentrate and Vianode developing and validating its use in anode materials through testing and pilot-scale evaluation. The collaboration aims to strengthen European material independence and reduce the carbon footprint across the battery value chain.
Vianode will develop and test formulations incorporating recycled graphite into anode materials and conduct pilot projects to evaluate performance at commercial scale. cylib will focus on recovering and producing high-quality graphite concentrate from recycled battery materials and establishing a robust supply chain capable of meeting defined quality and purity requirements for anode production.
“Closing the loop on battery materials is essential for building a truly sustainable battery value chain,” said Burkhard Straube, CEO at Vianode. “By collaborating with cylib on the integration of recycled graphite into advanced anode materials, we aim to strengthen circularity for battery graphite, reduce reliance on virgin raw materials, and support the EU’s ambitions for a more resilient, low‑carbon battery ecosystem.”
Subject to further evaluation and successful outcomes, the parties intend to negotiate a commercial agreement targeting sustainable and competitive deliveries of recycled graphite concentrate.
"Vianode brings advanced anode expertise; we bring proven recycled materials," said Dr. Lilian Schwich, Co-CEO & Co-Founder at cylib. "Together, we're showing that circular doesn't mean compromise. It means competitive advantage for Europe."
Vianode’s synthetic anode graphite is produced with around 90% less CO₂ emissions than today’s standard materials and are designed to meet the performance demands of leading EV and battery manufacturers. With its recycled graphite, Vianode takes an important next step towards achieving the emission target of 1.0 kg CO₂e per kg graphite by 2030.
cylib's water-based OLiC (Optimized Lithium and Graphite Recovery) technology achieves over 90% recovery rate for lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, and manganese, with an 80% reduced carbon footprint compared to primary extraction. The technology is designed to process multiple battery chemistries and enable circular material flows at industrial scale.
About cylib
cylib is a holistic and sustainable battery recycling company founded in 2022 in Aachen, Germany, by Dr. Lilian Schwich, Paul Sabarny, and Dr. Gideon Schwich. The company emerged from research conducted at RWTH Aachen University to produce advanced materials for sustainable batteries and resilient European value chains.
The water-based OLiC (Optimized Lithium and Graphite Recovery) technology efficiently recovers raw materials from battery packs, black mass, or production scrap, achieving over 90% recovery rate for lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, and manganese with an 80% reduced carbon footprint compared to primary extraction, enabling a circular economy.
Image: cylib/Jann Höfer
