Batteries from discontinued electric Formula E cars will be recycled and transformed into new rechargeable batteries and other products.

The electric race car series has partnered with Belgian recycling group, Umicore, which will collect the lithium-ion batteries before sorting, dismantling and recycling the valuable metals they contain.

Manufactured by Williams Advanced Engineering for the first two seasons of Formula E, the batteries are “infinitely recyclable” without losing their properties. They will be taken apart using a method that ensures the environment isn’t exposed to hazardous compounds.

Alejandro Agag, the founder and chief executive of the championship, said the formulation of the partnership was “an important moment for Formula E.”

“Sustainability is at the core of both companies, and to be able to recycle our battery cells with a closed loop approach means we’re doing our utmost to limit the impact we have on the environment – while promoting a wider message of clean mobility,” he added.

The partnership strengthens Umicore’s relationship with Formula E after the company was named as the technology partner of Mahindra Racing – one of the competing teams.

Talking to The Sustainability Report last year, Formula E’s senior sustainability consultant Julia Pallé revealed that the competition would also be undertaking a life-cycle assessment of the new Gen2 cars and batteries over the course of the 2018/19 season.