Your browser doesn't support javascript. This means that the content or functionality of our website will be limited or unavailable. If you need more information about Vinnova, please contact us.

Near zero waste Hydrometallurgy for spent Li-Ion batteries- multi element recovery for maximized recycling

Reference number
Coordinator MEAB Metallextraktion AB
Funding from Vinnova SEK 2 998 804
Project duration September 2019 - June 2022
Status Completed
Venture Joint R&D projects for small and medium-sized enterprises in Sweden-Germany
Call Joint R&D projects for small and medium-sized enterprises in Sweden-Germany - autumn 2018

Important results from the project

In this project near zero waste hydrometallurgy for spent Li-Ion batteries for maximized recycling efficiency was developed. In the project Li-ion batteries were recycled using thermal pre-treatment for improved electrolyte recovery. Impurities were removed using cementation and precipitation. A flexible process for valuable and critical metals was developed at Chalmers. Process allows an efficient metal separation and generates products with a battery grade. Sequential recovery allows to use modular system so technology can be transported/build on the recycling site.

Expected long term effects

Pyrolysis was very effective to recover the electrolyte. Metal impurities were removed with 97% efficiency using the precipitation. Lithium was also recovered, and product value was very high. However, the purity was only moderate, and product requires further purification. On the other hand, very high purity products were achieved after solvent extraction process. Purity of manganese product was 99.95% and recovery rate was over 96%. Cobalt purity was 99.96% and recovery rate was over 95%. Nickel was recovered as last with a purity over 99.9% and recovery rate over 97%.

Approach and implementation

The project had four main partners. German company Accurec Recycling GbmH did a mechanical processing and electrolyte recovery via pyrolysis. German Aachen university recovered lithium and efficiently removed the impurities. Swedish Chalmers University and MEAB AB developed a technology for metal recovery and product purification. MEAB also designed the modular system for a container type of the pilot plant for flexible transportation and processing. Project had 6 work packages equally distributed among partners.

The project description has been provided by the project members themselves and the text has not been looked at by our editors.

Last updated 16 August 2022

Reference number 2019-02069