BATx – Fundación Socya

Investing in Impact

P4G has awarded the partnership about US $162,500 in grant funding.

The improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries in Latin America poses a major environmental threat, as the rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy systems has led to a surge in end-of-life batteries.  Over 70% of lithium-ion batteries are prematurely discarded, not because recycling or diagnostics are unavailable, but because manufacturers choose to dispose of them. Many could be repaired, yet few companies specialize in this, and EV providers doubt local repair capabilities. This leads to hazardous waste, soil contamination and higher carbon emissions.

Additionally, the demand for critical minerals like lithium and cobalt intensifies the environmental impact of battery production. The market is highly linear and lacks scalable, cost-effective solutions, often relying on expensive exports for recycling. BATx addresses this gap by providing localized diagnostics, repair and second-life battery solutions, reducing waste, lowering costs and driving the region’s energy transition.

As the first company in the region to manufacture and repurpose lithium-ion batteries, BATx delivers second-life batteries and diagnostic services to commercial and industrial clients, government entities, EV dealerships and electrical substations. Its in-house, patented diagnostic technology ensures precise battery evaluation, optimizing performance and scalability.

BATx’s primary offerings range from 10-300kWh energy storage systems, with plans to scale up to 1MWh and larger solutions to meet the growing demand for grid-scale BESS in Colombia and the broader region. Revenue is generated via direct sales of second-life batteries, diagnostics and repair services, collected through contracts and partnership agreements.

During the partnership period, BATx will strengthen its operations and acquire critical certifications, enhancing compliance with international standards crucial for its role as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and service provider. BATx will also advocate for policies that support the integration of second-life batteries into energy systems and technology circularity. It will collaborate with stakeholders to establish regulatory frameworks that prioritize reuse over destruction, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards like the Colombian Technical Regulations for Electrical Installations (RETIE) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RAEE).

Socya will support BATx in developing a comprehensive ESG strategy aligned with global sustainability standards. This strategy will focus on reducing BATx’s carbon footprint, improving waste management and contributing meaningfully to local communities.

The partnership will also establish a committee composed of experts in the energy sector who are actively promoting or involved in gender equity initiatives. This committee will help identify and address the challenges BATx faces in increasing female participation in its workforce, attracting female applicants and fostering gender diversity. Through this initiative, BATx aims to engage with industry leaders and stakeholders to drive discussions that contribute to greater awareness and the development of more inclusive policies in the sector.

To date, BATx continues to refine its product strategy by allocating resources to the design and prototyping of new battery configurations, including partially assembled units and a Batteries-as-a-Service model. BATx benefited from international mentorship through the BMW Foundation’s RESPOND Accelerator, which helped refine its go-to-market strategy and enhance commercial readiness.

BATx advanced several components of its ESG, ISO and compliance roadmap. The startup has initiated ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 processes, advanced occupational health and safety requirements with support from the Red Cross, and engaged consultants to strengthen its ESG strategy and accounting policies. BATx also began the RETIE certification process and continued pursuing additional product certifications that will expand future market access.

BATx continued to expand its commercial pipeline through a targeted B2B lead-generation strategy. The company engaged with solar energy providers in northern Colombia, delivered demo products to prospective clients, and began planning strategic outreach to major EV importers to explore collaboration on battery diagnostics and second-life systems. BATx also strengthened institutional partnerships, meeting with the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Mines and Energy and other stakeholders to discuss policy pathways for second-life batteries, battery circularity and the expansion of the national energy storage sector. BATx actively participated in ExpoSolar 2025 and FISE 2025, where it presented its advances in second-life battery technology, circular economy solutions and energy storage systems.

Policy engagement was another major area of progress. BATx and Fundación Socya met with stakeholders in Bogotá to present the company’s model and address regulatory gaps affecting second-life battery solutions. Socya continued to advance administrative processes with regional authorities related to circular economy and environmental compliance. BATx was also invited by the Medellín Mayor’s Office to participate in public exhibitions and awareness raising events on energy storage and sustainability. Across these engagements, the partnership contributed technical insights to national discussions on energy storage regulation, safe battery transport, and circularity frameworks.

The partnership comprises the following partners: BATx (lead business partner); Socya (lead administrative partner).