ABR, a Korean company specializing in eco-friendly battery recycling technology, has secured seed funding from ENSL Partners and the Korea Business Angels Association. The amount of the investment has not been disclosed.

ABR produces cathode and anode materials by recycling byproducts from battery manufacturing processes. Traditional battery recycling methods involve shredding and chemical treatments that emit pollutants, including carbon dioxide. However, ABR uses a proprietary technique called “direct recycling,” which relies on water and physical processes to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 60% compared to traditional methods. This innovative approach prompted ENSL Partners and the Korea Business Angels Association to invest after evaluating the technology’s effectiveness.

Founded in 2021, ABR was included in the Ministry of Environment’s regulatory sandbox in December of the previous year. The company is planning to establish a direct recycling plant capable of processing 200 tons annually. ABR is also in talks with gigafactory manufacturers in Germany, the USA, India, and Japan to explore various business applications of its direct recycling technology, aiming to contribute to the global battery industry’s growth and achieve carbon neutrality.

Changju Ahn, CEO of ENSL Partners, commented, “ABR’s innovative direct recycling technology is set to stabilize the battery material supply chain and reduce costs significantly. We look forward to its continued growth and successful expansion into global markets.”

Yutak Kim, CEO of ABR, expressed enthusiasm about the future, stating, “This investment will accelerate the large-scale commercialization of our direct recycling technology. We are also looking to expand aggressively into international markets through strategic global partnerships.”