Battery expert Van Peperzeel sells final shares

Dutch battery recycler Johan van Peperzeel has sold the remaining 20% of his shares in the family Van Peperzeel company, meaning it is fully in the hands of new owners Huiskes Metal & Electronics Recycling.

‘I have absolute trust in the Huiskes team and our joint staff, which include two of my children,’ the recycler says. ‘I’m sure they will keep the business I’ve built running smoothly and successfully for many years to come.’

All in the family

The development follows an initial acquisition by Dirk and Koen Huiskes at the end of 2022. The brothers are at the helm of a fourth-generation family owned business. ‘It’s a great fit for us,’ Van Peperzeel explains to Recycling International at the annual International Congress for Battery Recycling in Basel.

The recycler believes it’s time to take a step back as he is looking forward to a new role in two weeks: becoming a grandfather. ‘Ultimately, family is everything.’

‘I love working, don’t get me wrong. Stepping down will no doubt take some getting used to, also as a committee member at EBRA, MRF and other trade organisations.’ Van Peperzeel will still do some consultancy work. ‘I like to keep busy. And I will always be passionate about battery recycling. I just can’t imagine quitting the industry 100%.’

Booming potential

The battery recycling industry continues to grow despite a ‘tough’ investment climate, according to Van Peperzeel. Major players like Volkswagen, BASF and Northvolt have delayed investments in new battery recycling activities that were announced for this year.

‘It’s a dynamic sector, certainly. Trust me: the market is booming. By letting Van Peperzeel become part of a big recycling firm I am confident that our steady business will be even better positioned to grow in the future.’

There is a substantial shortage of battery recycling capacity in Europe, especially for lithium-ion batteries. ‘People are looking around, confused and agitated, asking themselves where they can put all these spent batteries. Recyclers are holding off on processing quickly to avoid stockpiles of material. They’re saying “We don’t need batteries today, deliver them in three weeks, that’s soon enough”.

Ups and downs

‘If we check again in a few years, the situation will probably be reversed; we will face a recycling overcapacity.’ Van Peperzeel believes the scenario will balance out by 2030. ‘There will be some ups and down before we get there.’

He points out there are now far fewer subsidies for European carmakers and battery recyclers. ‘Funding is being cut and that’s a step back. Electric car sales have seen a significant drop, down by over 50% in Germany this year. And yet, there are a lot of positives on the horizon: demand, technology, collaboration and a maturing market.’

E-mobility is the future – it’s ‘plain and simple’, argues Van Peperzeel. ‘Scrap volume, infrastructure and capacity will get there in the end. We have to play the long game and mustn’t let market sentiment get us down.’