WP Subsidiary ERLOS Opens New Battery Recycling Plant

The Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer attended the opening of the new battery recycling plant of the WP subsidiary ERLOS Production and Assemblies as a guest of honor on July 22, 2024. The participants agreed on the importance of electromobility for the transformation of transportation and the significance of recycling used electric car batteries.   

Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer expressed his admiration for the creativity of the Saxon medium-sized businesses and assured that he would continue to have an open ear for their wishes and concerns. “Saxony is a land of innovation. The investment in the new lithium-ion battery recycling plant is an important step towards further development and acceptance of electromobility. Moreover, a functioning circular economy is the foundation for future-oriented value creation.” The plant, which commenced operations in July 2024 in Schönfels, Saxony, was built for 9 million euros in just under eight months. The facility can recycle approximately 3,500 tons of automotive batteries annually in a two-shift operation. Dr. Matthias Schmidt, Managing Director of Erlos, proudly reflected on the past years and the continuous growth.

Michael Kretschmer agreed with the management of WP Holding and ERLOS that federal funding practices must take greater account of medium-sized companies and their concerns to enable further innovations “Made in Saxony.” Dr. Matthias Schmidt used the Prime Minister’s visit to make a clear appeal to politics, from federal to local levels: “One of the most pressing problems for medium-sized businesses is the annually increasing extent of statistical documentation requirements, which unnecessarily prolong economic processes.” The Erlos Managing Director further stated: “Particularly the Saxon economy suffers from the significant differences in funding practices compared to nearby foreign countries, especially Poland and Hungary. There, completely different funding amounts are called, which puts us at a clear competitive disadvantage.”

Problems with German and European Funding Guidelines

Doreen Paesold-Runge, Managing Director of WP Holding, also pointed out the problems and difficulties of German and European funding guidelines. “We are extremely pleased about the Prime Minister’s visit and the further exchange at all levels, especially with the new head of the State Chancellery, Mr. Clemens,” she explained.

Photo: © WP Holding / Caption: Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (2nd from left) in front of the new battery recycling plant with the management of WP Holding (from left to right): Heiko Nowak, Doreen Paesold-Runge, and the Managing Director of ERLOS Production and Assemblies, Dr. Matthias Schmidt