SUNLIGHT Recycling

“We are changing the climate”
Europe's most contemporary Lead-acid Battery Recycling Unit, in Komotini

About SUNLIGHT Recycling

SUNLIGHT Recycling is the Lead-acid Battery Recycling Branch of SYSTEMS SUNLIGHT S.A., expanding the business ecosystem developed by the Panos Germanos Group of Companies. Recognising the potential of the Greek market, and having a clear commitment to support the domestic economy, SUNLIGHT Recycling is building the most contemporary Lead-acid Battery Recycling Unit in Europe, which constitutes an investment of over € 25 million in its first phase.

The new recycling plant, built in a plot area of 4.2 hectare in the Industrial Area of Komotini (Prefecture of Rodopi), will be able to recycle 30,000 tons of spent batteries per year, creating multiple financial and environmental benefits at local and national level.

SUNLIGHT Recycling presents the first holistic approach to the recycling of lead-acid batteries in Greece, as it covers the full recycling cycle. That is, the collection and accumulation of spent batteries, their recycling based on international quality standards, and the use of recycled materials for the production of new batteries in Greece by SYSTEMS SUNLIGHT.

Deriving Benefits

The new investment in Lead Battery Recycling will:

  • contribute to the strengthening of the environmental profile and performance of Greece, through the use of cutting-edge technology in the field of lead-acid batteries recycling

  • strengthen domestic added value by promoting extroversy

  • create new jobs in the border area of Komotini

  • enhance the industrialisation of the country, contributing to domestic competitiveness

  • reduce the foreign exchange outflow by € 40 million, based on the drastic reduction in lead imports

  • enhance SUNLIGHT's competitiveness and profitability through the vertical integration of the production process

Cutting-edge Technology

For the construction and the implementation of this investment, SUNLIGHT RECYCLING, entered into a strategic collaboration with Engitec, a global leader in engineering, procurement, construction and operation of lead-acid batteries recycling plants. This collaboration ensures unrivalled quality in the design of the plant, the construction of the equipment, and the recovered materials. The production process of the plant has been shaped using cutting-edge expertise, ensuring top environmental performances. More specifically:

  • Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) in the environment, by utilizing water closed-loop systems.

  • Zero discharge of electrolyte (acid) through the neutralization process of acid and its conversion into high-quality industrial salt (sodium sulphate).

  • Zero Air Pollution: The advanced and specially designed air pollution control and abatement system minimises SO2 (sulphur dioxide) emissions.

    • Minimization (<5%) of solid hazardous waste (slag).

  • Elimination of lead emissions achieving ultimate metal recovery through the use of advanced air filtration systems for the ultimate capture of dust.

  • Solid waste minimisation, using the innovative technology of desulphurization.

Back to the members’ list