Lithium hydroxide is extracted from waste batteries by Syensqo and cylib.
European Companies Make Strides in Recycling Lithium from Spent EV Batteries
Two European companies, Aachen-based recycling firm cylib and Belgian chemical corporation Syensqo, are making significant progress in recovering lithium from spent electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This technology is designed to meet future EU regulatory requirements for battery waste recycling, particularly the mandate to recover at least 80% of lithium content from battery waste by 2031.
The companies have simplified the process by processing diverse cell chemistries on a single line, including nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP). They are utilizing a combination of cylib's hydrometallurgical process and Syensqo's solution extraction technology, specifically using Syensqo's proprietary extractant CYANEX 936P.
The lithium extraction solvent used in this project is highly selective, ensuring that the recovered lithium is of high quality. The process begins with cylib producing a lithium-rich effluent from shredded electrode black mass containing multiple battery chemistries. This effluent is then treated by Syensqo's solvent extraction process employing CYANEX 936P, which exhibits exceptional lithium selectivity.
After solvent extraction, the lithium undergoes purification, conversion, and crystallization to yield battery-grade lithium hydroxide meeting the strict purity standards of cathode active material manufacturers. This integrated approach enables the processing of varied lithium-ion battery chemistries on a single production line, enhancing efficiency and reducing capital costs.
The extracted lithium hydroxide can process diverse cell chemistries, including NMC and LFP. The companies have successfully extracted battery-grade lithium hydroxide from black mass, and the lithium hydroxide produced from this process is of battery-grade quality. Furthermore, the process reduction results in lower investment costs.
The EU regulatory requirements also mandate the recovery of at least 50% of lithium content from battery waste by 2027. This technology developed collaboratively with engineering partner Tenova Advanced Technologies aligns with these EU Battery Regulation's lithium recovery targets. The companies are optimistic that their innovative solution will contribute significantly to the circular economy of EV batteries in Europe.
References: [1] cylib press release [2] Syensqo press release [3] Tenova press release [4] EU Battery Regulation [5] European Commission press release
- The advancements in lithium recovery from spent EV batteries by European companies, such as Aachen-based cylib and Belgian chemical corporation Syensqo, also aim to meet the future EU requirement of recovering at least 50% of lithium content from battery waste by 2027, as stipulated by the EU Battery Regulation.
- The environmental-science sector stands to benefit significantly from the collaboration between the aforementioned companies and engineering partner Tenova Advanced Technologies, as their technology aligns with the lithium recovery targets set forth in the EU Battery Regulation, helping to foster a circular economy for EV batteries in Europe.
- In the financial aspect, the innovative solution developed by cylib, Syensqo, and Tenova is expected to reduce capital costs associated with processing varied lithium-ion battery chemistries through an integrated approach, with potential applications in industries like technology and finance.
