Sustainability

An overview of the main recycling methods Pyrometallurgy, or smelting, is the simplest and most established recycling method. It produces the highest CO2 emissions and yield the lowest fraction of reusable battery components, prioritizing the recovery of valuable Ni and Co over Li, Mn, and Al. Hydrometallurgy is a mature technique that relies on water to separate battery materials. It can recover most of the metals in battery electrode materials (including Li) and generates less waste than pyrometallurgy. Most hydro techniques use acid to selectively extract metals, however, startups like Nth Cycle are developing alternative methods. Direct recycling is the careful separation and removal of electrolyte, binders, and anodes separation to yield cathode powder for re-use in new batteries. It represents the greatest opportunity for retaining the intrinsic value of valuable cathode materials while minimizing waste. Direct recycling is still in its early stages of development. 59

Industry Source: I. Morse and Bickel C.

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