Desco Electronic Recyclers, a leader in sustainable e-waste management, took centre stage at the recent Enabling Electrification panel discussion, part of the Navigating the Future of Supply Chains in South Africa conference.
Held at Irene Country Lodge in Pretoria, the event convened over 100 industry leaders, including auto-mobility, mining, and logistics professionals, to address critical challenges in scaling electrification across the region.
Giulio Airaga, managing director of Desco, emphasised the urgency of building robust battery recycling ecosystems to support South Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) transition. “The challenge isn’t just recycling batteries – it’s ensuring they reach recyclers efficiently.
“A fragmented collection system and informal disposal channels hinder progress. Partnerships between manufacturers, logistics providers, and policymakers are essential to close this gap,” he stressed.
Desco’s core focus is mechanical processing for lithium-ion battery recycling. However, the company is researching better options, either hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical extraction. Given the wide variability in battery chemistries, choosing between these advanced methods is complex and often influenced by market availability and cost considerations. The decision to invest in one over the other requires careful analysis, as no single approach is universally suitable for all battery types.
He said the need for ‘mandatory take-back programs and deposit schemes’ to secure end-of-life battery flows, highlighting DHL’s potential role in reverse logistics.
Airaga also highlighted partnerships with OEMs like Daimler Truck Southern Africa and logistics leaders like DHL to streamline collection. “Daimler could integrate battery take-back into dealer networks, while DHL develops specialised transport protocols for hazardous materials,” he explained.
DHL outlined the company’s EV logistics solutions, including safety-compliant battery transport and circular supply chains. EV Logistics also emphasised DHL’s investments in fire-resistant packaging and regional infrastructure to support electrification.
In addition, Daimler Truck Southern Africa discussed strategies to boost electric commercial vehicle adoption, including localised supply chain resilience and dealer network adaptations.
In response to the closing question on scaling recycling, Airaga urged policymakers to enforce traceability standards like battery passports and incentivise closed-loop systems. Other panellists echoed the need for regional infrastructure investments and regulatory alignment to accelerate Africa’s electrification.
The panel marked the launch of the Electric Vehicle Centre of Excellence (EV CoE), a collaborative initiative to drive innovation in South Africa’s auto-mobility sector. Desco’s participation underscores its commitment to advancing circular economy principles and positioning Africa as a leader in sustainable EV ecosystems.
