Collaboration between Tozero and JGC Japan comes to an end
In a significant move towards sustainable energy solutions, Munich-based startup Tozero has officially entered a strategic partnership with JGC Japan Corporation. The collaboration, based on a signed letter of intent, aims for a long-term cooperation in battery recycling.
The partnership was announced in July 2025, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two companies. Tozero's innovative recycling technology and JGC Japan's local expertise and infrastructure are set to promote sustainable lithium recycling within the Japanese market.
The Japanese lithium-ion battery sector, supported by strong government investments and international industry players, signifies a forward-looking market. The sector, along with battery recycling, is gaining importance in the country, with the Japanese government and industry players seeing it as a significant player in the global market.
Tozero, led by CEO and co-founder Sarah Fleischer, contributes its proprietary technology for the sustainable recovery of critical raw materials such as lithium and graphite. According to Sarah Fleischer, the partnership with JGC Japan is crucial for achieving zero waste from lithium-ion batteries.
JGC Japan Corporation, with nearly a century of experience in executing complex technical projects, complements this expertise with decades of experience in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of large-scale industrial projects. This makes them well-positioned to support Tozero's global scale-up and strengthen the supply chain stability for critical battery materials.
By 2027, the commercial demonstration plant in Germany, currently being built by Tozero, is expected to produce over 2,000 tons of recycled graphite and more than 1,500 tons of recycled lithium annually. With this partnership, these advancements in recycling technology are expected to be replicated in Japan, contributing to a more sustainable future for the lithium-ion battery sector.
The electric vehicle industry in Japan is in the development phase compared to other regions, but its potential is considered significant. New facilities for the recovery of valuable raw materials and strengthening supply chain security are being built in Japan, making this partnership timely and crucial.
The cooperation between Tozero and JGC Japan is a significant step towards achieving zero waste from lithium-ion batteries. As Sarah Fleischer stated, "The partnership with JGC Japan is crucial for achieving zero waste from lithium-ion batteries." This partnership is expected to set a new standard for sustainable battery recycling in Japan and beyond.
[1] Tozero Press Release. (2025, July). Tozero and JGC Japan Corporation to Cooperate on Battery Recycling in Japan. Retrieved from https://www.tozero.de/press-releases/tozero-and-jgc-japan-corporation-to-cooperate-on-battery-recycling-in-japan/
[2] JGC Japan Press Release. (2025, July). JGC Japan Corporation and Tozero to Collaborate on Battery Recycling in Japan. Retrieved from https://www.jgc.co.jp/english/news/2025/07/20250726-1.html
- The strategic partnership between Tozero and JGC Japan Corporation, rooted in their proprietary recycling technology and JGC's local expertise, will bring financial benefits and technological advancements to the environmental-science sector.
- With JGC Japan's extensive engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) experience in technology and Tozero's innovative recycling solutions, this collaboration aims to establish a new standard for technology in the environmental-science and finance sectors.
