According to the company, the deal brings together Mulberry’s established hazardous waste management operations with Ecobat’s advanced battery collection, diagnostics, dismantling and recycling capabilities, including a recently installed lithium-ion recycling process with a target capacity of 15,000 tonnes.
The facility recovers critical minerals including lithium, cobalt and nickel from end-of-life batteries, with operations spanning battery collection, health diagnostics, dismantling and recycling.
Hassan Isaji, Managing Director of Mulberry, said: “Ecobat is a technically advanced business operating at the heart of the battery value chain.
“Its capabilities in collection, diagnostics and material recovery, combined with Mulberry’s established infrastructure and track record, create a compelling growth platform.
“This acquisition gives us a strong platform to grow in that space and to support the development of a more circular, sustainable battery value chain in the UK.”
Ecobat will continue to operate from its existing Darlaston site following the acquisition. The business employs 115 staff and generates annual revenues of more than £20 million.
The acquisition follows Ecobat’s sale of its German and Austrian recycling operations to Clarios last year.
Mulberry Waste Holdings
Mulberry said the acquisition would provide a platform for growth as demand for battery recycling infrastructure increases alongside the transition towards electrification.
Founded in 1993 by Isaji, Mulberry has grown into a multi-site operator with facilities in Leyland, Manchester, Liverpool, Ormskirk and Glasgow.
The group employs around 90 people and provides a range of services including hazardous waste disposal, chemical treatment, WEEE recycling and fluorescent lamp recycling.
The wider group also includes a vehicle repair and maintenance division.
Isaji added: “This acquisition highlights the increasing importance of specialist battery recycling within the wider waste and environmental services sector.
“The combined business is well placed to support both regulatory requirements and the UK’s broader sustainability and innovation objectives.”
Hurst Corporate Finance acted as financial adviser to Mulberry on the transaction, while Vincents Solicitors provided legal advice.
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