Batteries

As demand for electric vehicles soars, the environmental impact of battery production and disposal is under increasing scrutiny. The 2023 EU Battery Regulation imposes stricter sustainability targets, requiring 50% lithium recovery by 2027 and 80% by 2031. By 2031, minimum recycled content levels must reach 16% for cobalt, 85% for lead, and 6% for lithium and nickel. These regulations drive manufacturers to enhance recycling efficiency and adapt to evolving sustainability standards.

Ecobat has announced the successful commissioning of three lithium-ion battery recycling facilities within just one year. Located in Hettstedt, Germany; Casa Grande, Arizona; and Darlaston, England, these facilities are now fully operational. Together, the three plants are capable of processing up to 10,000 tons of lithium-ion batteries annually, with plans to scale capacity to 25,000 tons.

As the automotive industry accelerates its transition towards electric vehicles (EVs), the focus on sustainable practices has never been more critical. Central to this evolution is the lifecycle management of EV batteries, which poses both opportunities and challenges.

Vianode has launched the first high-performance solution based on recycled graphite as part of its next-generation material series. The product is based on recycled battery-grade graphite and designed to meet growing demand for sustainable electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing.

To meet the legal requirements for the recycled content of nickel, cobalt, and lithium in new batteries, Duesenfeld has developed a sustainable recycling process to counteract the increasing quantities of waste from battery production, especially electrode scrap.

The change to the list, which provides common terminology for classifying waste across the EU, is intended to pave the way for a more sustainable and innovative automotive sector.

Watercycle Technologies has entered into a cooperation agreement with Primobius. As a joint venture, Primobius combines the process capabilities of Neometals Ltd and SMS group’s engineering expertise.

Tozero has achieved a major breakthrough by producing battery-grade recycled graphite at industrial scale. For the first time, this 100% recycled anode material has been successfully used in battery cell production, proving its viability for commercial applications.

SK tes has announced a strategic partnership with the BMW Group.

The METALLON Project investigates new recycling techniques with a lower environmental impact for these batteries, which are commonly used in electronic devices and electric mobility.

Following the publication of its ‘An EPR of Everything, Starting with Batteries’ white paper, CIWM has called for extended producer responsibility (EPR) for batteries (and products containing batteries) and a targeted deposit return scheme (DRS).