Battery

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New Battery EPR Laws

Posted on by Joe Ball

Battery Extended Producer Responsibility laws have passed in nine states, while others have active legislation

Charlotte, N.C. (Aug. 6, 2025) – As new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws for batteries sweep across the United States, companies throughout the battery supply chain are facing complex challenges in navigating compliance requirements, reporting obligations and sustainable end-of-life (EOL) battery management. Cirba Solutions, the premier battery recycling materials and management provider with over 30 years of industry leadership, is uniquely positioned to guide companies through this new and dynamic regulatory landscape, providing robust, sustainable solutions.

Batteries are found almost everywhere – in data storage systems, electronics, vehicles, e-mobility, power tools, toys, etc. Battery EPR regulations vary by state and format, covering small, medium or large formats, and in some instances by specific chemistries. In certain cases, the regulations provide exceptions to certain types of usage formats, such as embedded batteries or those used for non-consumer medical devices. Cirba Solutions is setting the industry standard by offering a comprehensive end-to-end approach for customers that combines advanced reporting capabilities, nationwide logistical support, compliance and battery processing, while managing all battery chemistries for the company’s customers. The battery recycling expert is equipped to support its partners through:

  • Tracking and Reporting Capabilities: Cirba Solutions provides tracking and reporting capabilities necessary for its customers to comply with each individual state’s regulatory reporting requirements. From annual volumes to battery chemistries, Cirba Solutions is available to assist with expert tracking and reporting capabilities.
  • End-of-life Program Support: Cirba Solutions’ end-to-end services, from leading in-house battery-centric reverse logistics capabilities to advanced processing technologies and material recovery, ensure coast-to-coast coverage to efficiently and effectively execute battery end-of-life programs.
  • Experience: As the most comprehensive and experienced battery recycler in North America (with six operational facilities), the company has supported stewardship plans for decades. With functionality including reporting, Cirba Solutions’ suite of capabilities allows companies to seamlessly execute EOL battery management plans.

“EPR legislation is reshaping how producers manage their battery obligations,” said Jay Wago, Chief Commercial Officer at Cirba Solutions. “With decades of experience, a strong nationwide infrastructure and our unmatched ability to handle all battery types, Cirba Solutions offers producers a turnkey pathway to meet compliance efficiently, accurately and sustainably.” In the past five years, nine states and districts (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Nebraska,

New Jersey, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia) have passed battery EPR laws, and several others have active legislation.

Cirba Solutions will partner with companies to help navigate through the complex requirements, varying by state, giving organizations peace of mind when it comes to regulatory compliance and safe handling and disposal of batteries.

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Under the Hood: The Story of HG Ventures and Battle Motors

Posted on by Joe Ball

Battle Motors, a company transforming the heavy-duty commercial vehicle landscape, has a close partnership with HG Ventures. Following a recent visit to the company’s Ohio production facility, HG Ventures Managing Director, John Glushik, explains what makes this opportunity so special.

At HG Ventures, we often talk about investing in people as much as technology, and that has certainly been the case with Battle Motors. When I first met Mike Patterson, Battle Motors’ CEO, he was already a successful serial founder. So, when he approached us with his vision for a new venture, I was immediately interested. The Heritage Group has always bet on people, and Mike exemplifies the kind of leader we want to support. The values and standards that drive him and his team are consistent with how we do things at The Heritage Group, and it was clear early on that this was a great fit.

Mike saw a unique opportunity: take an existing company, an established refuse vehicle manufacturer, and scale it rapidly by introducing new technologies, unmatched reliability and a growth-oriented team. It was an easy decision to invest in Battle Motors in mid-2021, and as part of the deal, I joined the board. The timing couldn’t have been better.

John Glushik, Managing Director of HG Ventures, walks the Battle Motors facility with Mike Patterson

Thoughtful Innovation at the Forefront of the Electrification Revolution

The commercial vehicle industry, and refuse trucks in particular, have been dominated by diesel for decades, and in some areas, there’s been a shift towards compressed natural gas (CNG). However, electrification offers performance-improving technologies for a range of industries. With that in mind, Battle Motors has taken an established vertical in the commercial vehicle space—specifically, refuse trucks—and launched electrified trucks.

You can’t just dive into electrification overnight. It’s an evolution, and at Battle Motors, they’re approaching it thoughtfully. Battle Motors has built a diverse set of products, so customers can evolve into it as they see fit—whether staying with best-in-class diesel, bringing in CNG, mixing technologies or going 100% electric.

Refuse trucks are a perfect application for electric commercial vehicles. With known duty cycles and routes, there’s no range anxiety—something that often holds back electric vehicle adoption. You can send out a truck with a battery that lasts 100 miles on a 20-mile route, and you’ll never have to worry about charging. This predictability also makes it easy for fleet managers to calculate ROI on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis, further strengthening the case for electrification.

Battle Motors’ growth tear isn’t stopping with just refuse trucks, and the company is rapidly expanding into a wide range of heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

The Battle Motors facility in New Philadelphia, Ohio

Leveraging Existing Relationships

One of the smartest moves Mike made was acquiring and transforming an existing business with established customer relationships, rather than starting from scratch. Battle Motors is the evolution of Crane Carrier Company, a legacy business that had been operating for decades. Through Crane Carrier, Battle Motors already had relationships with most of the major municipalities in the U.S. who were buying diesel trucks along with an established dealer network.

By leveraging these existing relationships, Battle Motors has quickly positioned itself in front of major cities and waste management companies across the country. This has been a key factor in accelerating the company’s growth and ability to gain traction in the market.

A Worthy Investment

The company has expanded the existing Ohio plant and increased production capacity by more than 8X since our original investment, and touring the facility recently was truly exciting. For us, the ideal investment prospect combines many factors, and Battle Motors hits on all of them. It’s a company that embodies what we look achieve with an investment by HG Ventures.

We focus on helping companies with tangible value, and Battle Motors is a prime example of putting that in place. We combine significant venture capital experience—helping build teams, serving as trusted Board members, and helping companies navigate growth challenges—with the unique value that The Heritage Group brings: decades of market expertise, technical knowledge, and strong relationships in key markets.

I’m incredibly honored to be part of a transformation that is set to revolutionize an industry to be more productive and sustainable. I am confident that Battle Motors’ dramatic growth in the commercial vehicle sector will have significant long-term impact, and I am proud we can play a role in that success.

This story was originally reported by HG Ventures and has been republished here with permission.

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Cirba Solutions Gains Governmental Green Light

Posted on by Joe Ball

In October, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a $2.8 billion grant to supercharge U.S. battery manufacturing for electric vehicles and the electrical grid. Cirba Solutions, a Heritage family company focused on battery recycling, was one of the 21 companies awarded a portion of that grant. Here, in an interview with The Heritage Group, Shane Thompson, Strategy and Business Development for Cirba Solutions, discusses what a $75,000,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy means for the company and its future.

Tell us more about the grant.
It funds the first set of projects for President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The U.S. government is trying to set up a domestic supply chain for critical materials so the country can expand manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles and the grid.

What does the grant mean for Cirba Solutions?
It allows us to put more dollars into our new facility in Lancaster, Ohio, which was already in the works when we won the grant. We’re planning to expand the number of minerals we recycle and enhance our ability to upgrade materials before they re-enter the battery supply chain.

How will the grant impact the future?
The fact that our new facility is being built with the full confidence of the Department of Energy will help us introduce our product in the marketplace. In addition to funding, the validation adds visibility and credibility that will make us more attractive to customers, employees and investors.

How did you win the grant?
We responded to the Department of Energy’s request for funding, which included a rigorous application process. Our strategy was to apply for half of the available funding in the battery recycling category. We built on the fact that Cirba Solutions is unique, and we have experience to back up what we do. Laura Evans, our director of environmental, social and governance (ESG), led the application process, which included a robust environmental justice questionnaire and requirements. We welcomed that. We prioritize sustainability and ESG at Cirba Solutions, and the grant was a great opportunity to highlight some of those practices.

Why is the grant important for the country?
We’re creating a circular economy and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and minerals mined in other parts of the world. Producing batteries and components in the U.S. will help advance our country’s goal to build a robust lithium-ion supply chain and meet the demand for electric vehicles.

What capabilities will you add?
Typically, in the process of collecting, disassembling, shredding and upgrading critical materials from lithium-ion batteries, we focus on nickel and cobalt. Our expansion in Ohio will allow us to add lithium and other materials to that list.

Now, when we chop up batteries and separate out materials, some parts of the battery — including lithium, carbon, manganese and aluminum — are sent to a third party for processing. In the future, we’ll run those materials, known in the industry as “black mass,” through a hydrometallurgical process at our plant. We’ll be able to keep the recycling process going and create more materials that can go back into the battery supply chain.

How does this impact The Heritage Group?
Winning the grant is something Cirba Solutions and Heritage employees should share in and feel good about. It shows that a company that got its start with The Heritage Group is betting on the right things, receiving validation at the highest level and growing, which is good for us all.