Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been the preferred portable energy source in recent decades. However, disposal of these spent LIBs causes serious environmental problems because the batteries are made of hazardous components such as heavy metals and electrolytes. Current recycling method for LIBs are energy intensive, costly, generate harmful emissions while having poor recovery rate of the valuable metals. Therefore, there is a need for a low cost, environmentally friendly recovery method that can achieve high yield for the critical battery materials.
This technology offer is a highly versatile recycling method for LIBs that directly converts crushed LIBs material (black mass) into ready-to-use battery-grade cathode materials. This direct conversion is based on proprietary hydrometallurgical co-precipitation method and allows for the skipping of the production of mixed precious metal salts and immediately produces reusable battery-grade cathode materials. Furthermore, there is no need for pre-sorting and a mixture of LIBs materials with different chemistries can be processed in a single batch. These includes lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), lithium manganese oxide (LMO), lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) and lithium nickel cobalt aluminium oxide (NCA). The production outputs are battery-grade NMC hydroxides (622/532/111/811), and the by-products may include lithium carbonate and sodium sulphate. Lastly, adoption of this technology allows for up to 4x increment in recycling profits and a cost recovery period of <1 year.
The technology owner is seeking industry partners to license and adopt the technology, preferably companies with an interest to invest in or build a LIB recycling plant.
This technology offer is a highly versatile LIBs recycling method. The features and specifications of the technology are as follows:
The uses of this technology are for industries who are interested in LIBs recycling. The potential applications are:
11 million metric tons of LIBs are expected to reach the end of their service lives between now and 2030. 30 - 40% of the LIBs contains valuable cathode materials but only <5% of LIBs are currently recycled. This technology will be able to tap onto this servicable market.