Luxembourg’s R3 Robotics raises €20m to recycle critical raw materials from EVs

Luxembourg Robotics Startup Secures €20M to Revolutionize EV Recycling with AI-Powered Disassembly

In a bold move to tackle the growing mountain of electric vehicle waste, Luxembourg-based R3 Robotics has secured €20 million in fresh funding to scale its groundbreaking automated disassembly technology. The company, formerly known as Circu Li-ion, is on a mission to transform how we recycle and repurpose end-of-life electric vehicle components, with a particular focus on extracting high-value materials like lithium batteries.

The funding round, which includes €14 million from a Series A co-led by HG Ventures and Suma Capital, alongside €6 million in European grants, will fuel the expansion of R3’s facility in Karlsruhe, Germany. The goal? To enable fully automated disassembly across entire vehicle systems, turning what was once a labor-intensive and hazardous process into a streamlined, AI-driven operation.

Addressing a Critical Industrial Bottleneck

As electric vehicles become more prevalent, the challenge of managing their end-of-life components has reached a tipping point. R3 Robotics aims to address this by creating a dismantling platform that not only recovers critical materials but also reuses components for advanced industrial applications. “The bottleneck isn’t recycling technology; it’s clean feedstock,” said Antoine Welter, CEO and co-founder of R3 Robotics. “We’re building a dismantling platform that turns end-of-life systems into a strategic source of critical materials and reusable components for advanced industrial economies.”

Founded in 2021 by Welter and Xavier Kohll, R3’s innovative approach combines computer vision, artificial intelligence, and specialized robotic tooling to automate the disassembly of lithium-ion battery packs, e-motors, power electronics, and other high-value electrified components. This technology not only maximizes material recovery but also minimizes human exposure to high-voltage hazards, delivering the cost structure and reliability needed for industrial-scale operations.

A Strategic Investment in the Future of Recycling

The investment from HG Ventures, Suma Capital, and other backers underscores the critical importance of R3’s work. “R3 Robotics is addressing a critical industrial bottleneck in the supply of strategic raw materials,” said John Glushik of HG Ventures. Natalia Ruiz of Suma Capital echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that R3’s capability is “critical to unlocking materials and components at scale.”

With this new funding, R3 plans to expand its operations, hire additional talent, and scale alongside European partners. The company is also preparing for entry into the US market later in 2026, signaling its ambition to become a global leader in automated disassembly and recycling.

A Sustainable Solution for a Growing Problem

As the world transitions to electric mobility, the need for sustainable solutions to manage end-of-life EV components has never been more urgent. R3 Robotics’ innovative approach not only aligns with EU policies on recycling and material recovery but also sets a new standard for efficiency and safety in the industry. By turning waste into a strategic resource, R3 is paving the way for a more sustainable and circular economy.

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