Ellwangen, 25 November 2025 - What happens when a battery has reached the end of its first life? For VARTA AG in Ellwangen, this is not the end, but the beginning of a new cycle. At the start of European Waste Reduction Week, the company is demonstrating how resource efficiency, recycling and sustainable energy supply work together – topics that were and remain a focus in 2025.
‘For us, waste prevention means questioning established processes and continuously improving them – from the design of our batteries and the selection of materials to the production itself,’ says Michael Ostermann, CEO of VARTA AG. ‘Our aim is to firmly anchor resource efficiency and sustainability in our corporate strategy and thus continuously extend the life cycle of our products.’
More recycling, less waste
Last year, VARTA AG was able to recycle 57 per cent of its total production waste, thereby making a significant contribution to the circular economy. Together with take-back systems such as GRS batteries, VARTA AG ensures that used batteries are collected, sorted and recycled properly. The metals they contain – such as lithium, nickel and cobalt – can then be reused in various applications.
‘Resource efficiency and conservation must be a daily practice for each of us,’ says Tessa Quandt, Head of Sustainability at VARTA AG in Ellwangen. ‘Every ton of raw materials saved makes a measurable contribution to climate protection. Our goal is to continuously extend the life cycle of our products.’
Sustainability with a system
An important milestone in this context is the successful certification of all German locations in accordance with the international ISO 50001 standard for energy management systems. With this certification, VARTA AG demonstrates its commitment to a systematic, measurable and continuous improvement process in the use of resources. The energy management system helps to transparently record energy consumption, identify potential savings and effectively implement measures to increase energy efficiency.
Sustainable transformation makes a concrete contribution to protecting the environment and resources, as well as setting standards for responsible business practices across Europe. Thinking smarter about batteries and energy storage means shaping a future with less waste – and more opportunities for future generations.
External recognition and focus on the future
Building on this foundation, VARTA AG is now taking an ambitious step towards climate protection: the validation of its short-term targets by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) marks a milestone in the Group's sustainability strategy. VARTA AG is thus making a binding commitment to significantly reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in line with planetary boundaries and to contribute to the decarbonization of the value chain and society. In doing so, the Group is going beyond its own sites and working closely with suppliers, customers and partners to develop joint solutions for a sustainable future.
With this dual strategy – resource conservation as a starting point and climate protection as a declared goal – VARTA AG in Ellwangen aims to combine sustainable action with economic responsibility. ‘We invest in research and technology to drive innovation, set binding targets and ensure that sustainability is an integral part of our corporate DNA,’ says Tessa Quandt.
Further information on sustainability initiatives and results can be found in the 2024 Sustainability Report, among other places. This is available for download in German and English at the following link
VARTA_AG_Sustainability_Report_2024.pdf