Recycling lithium batteries for a sustainable future

Increased demand for electric vehicles, portable electronics and renewable energy storage has resulted in lithium becoming a truly critical mineral. As the world races towards a clean energy future, the recycling of lithium batteries has become crucial.

New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has highlighted that tapping into used batteries as a secondary source of lithium not only helps reduce environmental impact but also secures access to this valuable resource, supporting a circular economy and ensuring long-term sustainability in the energy sector.

PhD student Sadia Afrin has pointed out that the global lithium-ion battery market size is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 13%, reaching $87.5 billion by 2027, with lithium consumption forecast to increase from 390 kilotons in 2020 to approximately 1600 kilotons by 2026.

However, only around 20% of a lithium-ion battery’s capacity is used before the battery is no longer fit for use in electric vehicles, meaning those batteries ending up in storage or landfill retain nearly 80% of their lithium capacity.

The Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources has previously estimated that by 2035, Australia could be generating 137,000 tons of lithium battery waste annually.

For the end-of-life batteries, the obvious answer is recycling, said first author Asad Ali, quoting figures from the government which estimates that the recycling industry could be worth between $603 million and $3.1 billion annually in just over a decade.

“By recycling these batteries, you can access not only the remaining lithium — which is already purified to near 99% — but you can also retrieve the nickel and the cobalt from these batteries,” Ali said.

While the lithium retrieved through the recycling process is unlikely to impact the lithium extraction or downstream sectors, Ali noted that the recycling process offered significant environmental benefits when compared with the mining industry.

“Recycling processes can significantly reduce the extensive use of land, soil contamination, ecological footprint, water footprint, carbon footprint and harmful chemical release into the environment, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions and minimising waste.

“Mining emits up to 37 tons of CO₂ per ton of lithium. Recycling processes produce up to 61% less carbon emissions compared with mining and use 83% less energy and 79% less water as compared to mining. Hydrometallurgical recycling can generate profit up to $27.70 per kilogram of lithium recovered. And again, the lithium produced through the recycling process is already purified to 99%, which means all of the energy, water and emissions are saved from the downstream process,” Ali said.

ECU lecturer and corresponding author Dr Muhammad Azhar said that while Australia holds one of the largest hard rock lithium reserves in the world, the recovery of lithium from end-of-life batteries could provide socio-economic benefits and fulfils environmental sustainability.

“The mining industry actually offers another source of retired and potentially end-of-life batteries, as the electrification of the mining industry gains momentum. ECU is exploring the second life of these retired lithium batteries,” Azhar said.

While the benefits of lithium-ion battery recycling seem obvious, Afrin noted that there were still some challenges to be addressed.

“The rate of innovation significantly outstrips policy development, and the chemical make-up of the batteries also continuously evolves, which makes the recycling of these batteries more complicated," Afrin said.

“There is a definite need for investment into the right infrastructure in order to create this circular economy, but there are several Australian companies that are looking at the best ways to approach this.”

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