From Academia to Industry: Building cylib’s Vision of a Greener Future with Dr. Lilian Schwich

Battery recycling has been stuck in a rut for years. Existing processes are inefficient, wasteful, and don’t make the most of the valuable resources we can reclaim from old batteries. That’s exactly what Dr. Lilian Schwich and her co-founders, Paul Sabarny and Dr. Gideon Schwich, realized when they decided to start cylib in 2022. They knew it was time for a change.

Spinning out of Lilian’s research at RWTH Aachen University, cylib has been on a mission to completely rethink the way we recycle lithium-ion batteries, with a focus on making it more sustainable and cost-effective. The company’s work is rooted in the idea that battery recycling shouldn’t just be about waste management but should also focus on creating real value from the materials inside old batteries.

With strong investors like Porsche Ventures, World Fund, Bosch Ventures, and, you guessed it, Speedinvest backing them, cylib has been able to turn that vision into something truly groundbreaking. By developing new, more efficient, and environmentally friendly processes for recycling lithium, they’re reshaping the future of battery recycling, all while making strides toward building a circular economy for battery resources.

But, it's no secret that scaling a hardware company is no simple task due to low margins, long timelines, low capital efficiency, and a lack of later-stage funding. Challenges which are being addressed by the industry at large.

Last year, cylib raised the largest ever Series A for a battery recycling company in Europe, taking it to €60+ million in funding. The company’s continued growth trajectory requires serious conversations to be had about the future that European VC has in financing and backing hardware businesses. 

We spoke with Lilian about what she and her team are doing to overcome the hurdles that come with turning hard problems into hardware. 

Turning Research into Real-World Impact

cylib’s journey began with a simple but powerful idea—what if the process of recycling lithium-ion batteries could be more efficient, more sustainable, and less damaging to the environment? During her time at RWTH Aachen University, Lilian began researching ways to improve the recycling process, particularly focusing on making it a value-driven, resource-efficient endeavor rather than just a waste management process.

“When I was working on my research, I realized that the existing methods were far from ideal,” she recalls. “They were inefficient and unsustainable, often treating battery recycling as just a way to get rid of waste instead of an opportunity to create value.”

But recognizing this problem was just the start. To turn this insight into something actionable, Lilian and her team had to bridge the gap between academia and the real world. It’s no easy task, as taking research from the lab to commercial application is often a huge leap. Yet, that’s exactly what Lilian, Paul, and Gideon are doing with cylib.

“It was clear that the traditional methods of battery recycling weren’t good enough,” says Lilian. “We saw an opportunity to improve, and it became our mission to not only make these processes more efficient but to make them sustainable and valuable to the circular economy.”

Building a Strong Team and Culture

Scaling a company in a young and specialized industry like battery recycling requires a strong team, one that is capable of driving innovation, pushing boundaries, and staying on top of technological advancements. cylib’s team is made up of professionals who bring both deep technical knowledge and a fresh perspective, all united by a shared vision of sustainable impact.

“When it comes to building a team, we look for expertise and a shared vision rather than just industry experience,” Lilian explains. “We combine professionals from established industries with fresh thinkers from research and startups. This blend helps us stay on the cutting edge of both technical knowledge and innovation. Our team brings diverse backgrounds, and this allows us to push the envelope on new ideas.”

The team’s strong research network, which spans across corporates, startups, and academia, has been key in keeping cylib ahead of the curve. But it’s not just about having the right people; it’s about ensuring they’re all aligned with the company’s mission.

“We want people to join us because they believe in what we’re doing and want to be part of the solution,” Lilian says. “Our team is mission-driven, and everyone understands the role they play in achieving our goals.”

Embracing Innovation and Building Relationships

cylib is not just following technological trends in the battery recycling industry, it’s leading the charge. At the core of their approach is a relentless focus on innovation, which stems from their research-driven approach and willingness to question the status quo.

“What truly sets us apart is our commitment to shaping technological advancements, not just following them,” Lilian says. “We’re constantly asking ourselves, ‘How can we do this better? How can we improve this process and make it more sustainable?’ We don’t just want to keep up with the industry—we want to lead it.”

This forward-thinking mindset is what has allowed cylib to forge valuable partnerships with key industry players like Porsche and Webasto. These partnerships have been instrumental in validating cylib’s technology on a larger scale and accelerating the company’s growth.

“We’ve been fortunate to work with some amazing partners who share our vision and have been crucial in helping us move forward,” Lilian shares. “Collaborating with industry leaders has enabled us to pilot and validate our technology, making sure we’re delivering solutions that meet real-world needs.”

Navigating Growth and Managing Challenges

As cylib has grown, Lilian’s role has had to evolve, too. What started as a small team with a shared vision has now blossomed into a company with a global presence and significant impact in the battery recycling space. Managing this growth requires a shift in leadership skills and an ability to anticipate and address challenges before they arise.

“My role has changed a lot as we’ve grown,” Lilian explains. “Managing a small team of 10 people is very different from leading a larger team. You need to think strategically about how to communicate, collaborate, and anticipate the challenges that come with scaling.”

One of the key decisions that helped cylib scale successfully was building a strong middle management team early on. This, combined with cultivating strong relationships with investors, policymakers, and customers, has set the company up for long-term success.

Balancing Purpose and Profit

As cylib continues to grow, staying true to its mission is a top priority. But as any fast-growing company knows, balancing the need for profitability with a commitment to a larger purpose can be a challenge. For Lilian and her team, this means constantly reinforcing the company’s mission and making sure it stays at the heart of everything they do.

“It’s all about awareness,” says Lilian. “We make sure everyone on the team understands how their work contributes to the bigger picture. Having a clear mission and values is crucial, and we live by those principles every day.”

This unwavering commitment to purpose helps cylib stay grounded, ensuring that the company doesn’t just scale for the sake of growth but does so in a way that’s aligned with their long-term vision of sustainability and impact.

Learning to Say No

As any early-stage founder knows, opportunities and distractions are endless, with many demands on your time and decision-making capacity. Lillian has learned the hard way that focus is key to building a successful business. “Focus relentlessly on what truly matters,” she advises. “Your mission is bigger than your ego.”

One of the ways cylib has maintained that focus is by learning to say no to opportunities that don’t align with their core mission. “We’ve learned to say no to things like PR opportunities, events, and awards when they don’t directly support our mission,” Lilian explains. “Instead, we prioritize the activities that will really move the needle for the company, like industry engagement and building relationships that matter.”