Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are becoming increasingly popular in the context of sustainable development and energy efficiency.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), there are currently around 140 million electric vehicles in the world.
In France, the electrification of transport is a priority for reducing carbon emissions. What’s more, demand for Li-ion batteries is growing with the proliferation of connected objects. But like all batteries, lithium batteries also become obsolete after several (many) charge and discharge cycles. As this is a fast-growing market, it is vital to set up an efficient, regulated recycling system.
A regulated market to protect our environment
Used Li-ion batteries must be recycled under European Directive 2006/66/EC, also known as the Batteries Directive.
Car manufacturers are the first to be affected by the regulations, and they must set up recycling channels for the lithium batteries in their electric vehicles. But they are not alone! All battery producers and marketers must also apply the directive.
It should be noted that the directive has been amended several times since it was adopted in 2006 to take account of technological developments and environmental objectives. EU Member States are responsible for transposing the Directive into their national legislation and ensuring that it is effectively implemented. As a result, implementation details may vary from country to country.
Battery recycling: to each his own !
The high price of cobalt, which accounts for 25% of the cost of a battery, has led to companies specialising in Li-ion battery recycling.
Companies are vying with each other to develop cutting-edge battery recycling technologies.
From mechanical transformation to hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy, the processes are varied and offer impressive results.
Just imagine, thanks to pyrometallurgy, some companies are able to melt entire modules at temperatures of up to 1,450°C, enabling them to be processed on a massive scale. However, this method recovers neither the electrolytes nor the plastic.
In contrast, hydrometallurgy, which is still little used, offers a more environmentally-friendly solution by recycling plastic materials, lithium salts and even solvents.
The global Li-ion battery recycling market was valued at €1.6 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach €6 billion by 2028: the future lies ahead of us*.
*Ref: “A critical review of lithium-ion battery recycling processes from a circular economy perspective” by Omar Velázquez-Martíne.