The next ICBR will take place from September 20 to 22 in Lisbon, Portugal. The ICM have put together a diverse program. This year the keynote speakers will be
- Carlos Martins (Secretary of State of Environment Portugal),
- Nuno Lacasta (President Portuguese Environment Agency),
- Prof. Vera Susanne Rotter (Technical University Berlin) and
- Christophe Pillot (Director Avicenne Energy).
The ICM-Team was able to speak to Christophe Pillot before the event:
Mr Pillot, the powerful Lithium-ion batteries are predicted to grow strongly. How is the current demand for these batteries developing?
I will present detailed figures at the ICBR 2017, but I can say that the LIB market achieves more than 90 GWh demand in 2016, that means a 25% average growth rate per year for the last 10 years.
In which areas of application is the strongest growth recorded?
The trend continues unchanged; Automotive and e-buses, mostly in China show the strongest growth. In 2016, Automotive and e-buses consume 50% of the LIB. Other applications are portable devices (35%). Then, stationary and industrial applications start to use Lithium-ion batteries and replace sometimes lead acid batteries.
How do battery manufacturers react to the high demand for Lithium-ion batteries? Are there any plans for new production capacities known?
Huge investments are on the way in China and Korea but also as you know in the US with TESLA and in Europe. LG and SAMSUNG will both start Lithium-ion production in Europe in 2018.
The recycling of Lithium-ion batteries is only worthwhile in case of high volumes and high Lithium prices. What is the current trend for the Lithium price?
The Lithium is not the major metal issue in a Lithium-ion battery. Cost of Lithium represent less than 2% of the battery pack. Cobalt, Nickel or Copper are more important in LIB batteries than Lithium. Nevertheless, the Lithium price increased because most of the Lithium is consumed by the battery industry. It increase from 7 US$/kg to almost 25 US$/kg on the spot market at the beginning of 2016.
In a foreseeable future do you know about any technology that will replace the current Lithium-ion chemistries?
No. Lithium-ion will be the major choice for portable devices and automotive in the next 10 years. Li-Sulfur, Li-Air, fuel cells and so one will not be on the mass market before at least 10 years.
Do you foresee a significant development in Europe for batteries technologies in a particular field of application?
Major application in Europe will be Electric & Plug in hybrid. Then, on a longer term basis, lead acid starter batteries could be replaced by Lithium-ion in stop-start cars, micro hybrid cars, 48v batteries.
According to ICM Christophe Pillot will be presenting a detailed overview of the trends for the next ten years at the ICBR 2017.
I agree if your only trying to recycle lithium it would be a tough business proposition. The reality is the total value in cathode material dwarfs the stand alone lithium value.
=== For example the following cathode values per 500kg battery are in the following link :
http://americanmanganeseinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/AmyBattery_CHEMISTRY_FINAL.pdf American Manganese’s patent pending recycle process gets 100% of the cathode materials. We along with Kemetco will also be presenting at the ICBR 2017 conference/
I agree if your only trying to recycle lithium it would be a tough business proposition. The reality is the total value in cathode material dwarfs the stand alone lithium value.
=== For example the following cathode values per 500kg battery are in the following link :
http://americanmanganeseinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/AmyBattery_CHEMISTRY_FINAL.pdf
American Manganese’s patent pending recycle process gets 100% of the cathode materials. We along with Kemetco will also be presenting at the ICBR 2017 Conference