RLG acquires LiBCycle from Mutares to scale EU battery logistics.

Mutares SE & Co. KGaA has finalised the sale of its majority stake in logistics specialist LiBCycle to Reverse Logistics Group (operating under Reconomy). The transaction hands operational control of a company that generated EUR 4.1 million in revenue in 2025 to a circular-economy platform seeking to scale EU battery logistics and hazardous-waste handling.

LiBCycle provides integrated transport, storage and regulated handling for defective lithium-ion batteries and runs more than 30 active cross-docking facilities across strategic European markets. Its customer roster includes leading OEMs and battery recyclers, placing the business at the heart of the continent’s nascent battery circularity value chain.

Under the terms announced, Mutares sold a 51% majority interest while the company’s founders retain a 49% stake and will continue to lead operations alongside the new owner. The buyer, Reverse Logistics Group, intends to integrate LiBCycle into its existing portfolio to accelerate cross-border fulfilment, bring standardised hazardous-waste processes and unlock synergies across reverse-logistics flows.

From a market perspective, the deal highlights growing commercialisation of battery logistics. EU regulation and rising EV volumes are increasing demand for secure collection, transport and processing of spent lithium-ion units. Market participants expect sustained, double‑digit annual growth in segments tied to battery life‑cycle services, creating attractive runway for specialist logistics operators capable of meeting compliance and safety standards.

Johannes Laumann, Chief Investment Officer at Mutares SE & Co. KGaA, commented that the sale reflects the group’s focus on building scalable platforms in strategically important sectors and positioned LiBCycle for accelerated growth under RLG’s ownership. The statement underlined Mutares’ aim to realise value while leaving the business in hands that can expand European reach and operational density.

For Reverse Logistics Group (RLG by Reconomy), acquiring LiBCycle strengthens end‑to‑end capability in battery reverse logistics — from secure pick‑up and cross‑dock distribution to compliant storage ahead of recycling. As OEMs and recyclers scale, logistics bottlenecks have emerged as a constraint on circularity; adding LiBCycle’s footprint could reduce transit times and improve regulatory compliance across supply chains. The deal will be watched as a marker of consolidation in the battery services ecosystem and a potential signal for further tie‑ups between logistics specialists and circular‑economy platforms.