Lithium-ion batteries are powering an increasing number of cars, buses, and large energy storage systems. Electrification has a positive impact on air quality and carbon emissions during the life of the battery. However, an efficient recycling industry is still needed to improve the economics of EV production and as a long term enabler to a circular economy for batteries.

This project will develop the business case to scale up a recycling technology that has significant potential to improve the environmental and economic performance of the EV industry.

Current industrial recyclers do not have technology appropriate to maintain value and current processing can have negative impacts on the environment and cost of battery ownership. The resulting products (CoSO4, NiSO4, etc.) are relatively low purity and typically not reused in the battery industry, preventing the realisation of a closed loop.

This project will assess the technical and commercial feasibility of a recycling facility at UKBIC. In addition the project will aim to understand the opportunities and challenges associated from an operational and commercial perspective.

JM engaged with UKBIC as a project development partner, considering their deep technical expertise and experience in scale cell manufacturing and the provision of open access technology development facilities.

The project team and it's wider stakeholders and keenly interested in this project that can improve the profitability and sustainability of the cell manufacturing industry.