BATTERY RECYCLING & REVERSE LOGISTICS

Certified Transport of Damaged, Defective & Suspected Lithium Batteries

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The Challenge

Recycling Lithium Batteries Means Handling the Most Hazardous Classification

Battery recycling and reverse logistics operations receive batteries in every state — swollen, punctured, partially discharged, water-damaged, thermally compromised. These “non-intact” batteries carry the highest hazard classification and require packaging under UN P908 or UN P911, the most stringent instructions in the dangerous goods framework.

For recyclers running high-throughput operations, the standard solutions are inadequate. Conventional certified containers require vermiculite, sand or other filler materials, adding time, contamination and disposal cost to every single packing operation. In a facility processing hundreds of batteries per day, this compounds into a significant operational burden.

Beyond operational inefficiency, there is a critical safety dimension: thermal runaway during transport releases hydrogen fluoride (HF) gas an acutely toxic substance. Packaging that cannot filter or contain HF gas puts transport workers, drivers and emergency responders at severe risk.

Key Challenges for Recyclers

  • Non-intact battery classification
    Damaged and defective batteries fall under the strictest packaging instructions (P908 & P911) which most packaging solutions cannot satisfy.
  • HF gas risk during thermal runaway
    Lithium battery fires release hydrogen fluoride, a highly toxic gas. Standard containers provide no filtration, creating acute risk to personnel in the vicinity.
  • Filler materials slow throughput
    Vermiculite and absorbent pads must be sourced, applied, inspected, and disposed of adding significant time and cost to every packing operation.
  • Liability exposure for operators
    Any incident during transport of non-properly packaged batteries creates severe legal and financial liability for the recycler and logistics provider alike.
  • No standard solution without fillers
    Until BUNCKER®, there was no UN-certified container for damaged lithium batteries that did not require filler materials. The industry had no choice until now.
The Solution

BUNCKER® for Battery Recycling Operations

The only certified solution that eliminates filler materials while providing complete thermal runaway containment and HF gas filtration.

BUNCKER® L voor batterijrecycling
  • UN P908 & P911 certified for non-intact batteries
    The only container certified for both packaging instructions without the need for any filler materials. Compliant by design.
  • Fibercon Altilium CP Blanket (FACB). HF gas filtration
    Our proprietary FACB lining absorbs and neutralises HF gas released during thermal runaway, protecting transport workers and emergency responders.
  • No filler materials, faster operations
    Eliminate the sourcing, application, inspection and disposal of vermiculite and absorbent pads from your process. Load a battery, close the unit, ship.
  • Outer surface below 100°C during thermal runaway
    Tested and verified: the outer wall of the BUNCKER® remains below 100°C even during a full thermal runaway event inside the container.
  • Delivery from stock, scale your operation immediately
    Available from our Schiphol-Rijk facility for immediate deployment. As your recycling volumes grow, additional units can be deployed without lead time delays.
Recommended Models

All BUNCKER® Models Are Suitable for Recycling Applications

Choose the model based on the typical battery size you receive. M, L and XL cover the majority of recycling centre requirements.

Recommended

Buncker-S-L-3

BUNCKER® M

Ideal for e-bike, e-scooter, and small EV battery packs. High throughput at collection centres.

Recommended

Buncker-S-L-3

BUNCKER® L

The most versatile model for recycling centres handling mixed battery types and sizes.

Recommended

Buncker-XL-XXL

BUNCKER® XL

For large EV battery packs received in a damaged or defective state from OEM recall programmes.

Regulatory Compliance

Certified for the Hardest Batteries to Move

BUNCKER® is certified under all applicable regulatory frameworks for damaged, defective and suspected lithium batteries, including the most restrictive classifications.

UN P908 UN LP906 ADR 2026 IMDG HF Gas Filtration Thermal Runaway Containment
Typical Use Case

EV Battery Collection Centre: Step by Step

How a BUNCKER®-equipped recycling centre processes incoming end-of-life and damaged EV batteries from collection to delivery.

  1. Receive Battery Battery arrives from OEM dealer, consumer drop-off or logistics provider. Each battery is logged with serial number, chemistry and origin.
  2. Inspect & Assess Visual and electronic assessment determines battery condition: intact, damaged, defective or suspected. State of charge is measured where possible.
  3. Classify Under ADR Battery is classified per ADR 2026: UN3480, UN3481 or UN3090/3091. Packaging instruction P908 or P911 is assigned based on condition.
  4. Pack in BUNCKER® Battery is placed in the correctly sized BUNCKER® unit. No filler materials required. The bell jar is sealed and the unit is labelled per ADR requirements.
  5. Transport Compliant The BUNCKER® unit is transported by road (ADR), sea (IMDG), air (IATA) or rail (RID) fully certified, fully documented, no exceptions.
  6. Deliver to Recycler Battery arrives at the certified recycling facility. BUNCKER® is unloaded, inspected for reuse, and returned to the collection centre for the next cycle.

Scale your recycling operation safely

BUNCKER® is the solution battery recyclers have been waiting for. No fillers. Full certification. Ready from stock. Let us show you how BUNCKER® transforms your battery collection and transport process.