Powering a Circular Future: How LOHUM is Revolutionizing EV Battery Sustainability

In the accelerating journey toward electrified mobility, lithium-ion batteries have emerged as the heartbeat of clean transportation. From smartphones to 3-wheeler EVs and solar grid storage systems, these energy-dense units are not only transforming mobility but are also central to solving the global climate challenge. However, as we march toward a future with exponentially increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs), the sustainability of battery production and disposal is under scrutiny.

At LOHUM, our vision goes beyond building battery components—we are committed to creating a circular energy economy that minimizes waste, maximizes resource efficiency, and ensures energy equity. With our innovations in battery recycling, reuse, and raw material refining, LOHUM is proud to be India’s first integrated player in this fast-evolving space.

The Imminent Battery Challenge

The exponential rise of EV adoption is generating unprecedented demand for lithium-ion batteries. Analysts estimate that by 2030, over 2 million metric tonnes of lithium-ion batteries will retire annually—equivalent to batteries from more than 500,000 vehicles each year. This includes a growing number of batteries from 3-wheeler EVs, which have become a vital part of sustainable urban mobility in India and other emerging economies.

But while demand soars, the world faces a sobering reality: current mining operations alone cannot fulfill the resource requirements for this electrification surge. Establishing new mines is capital-intensive and time-consuming, often taking more than a decade to become operational. Furthermore, mining has environmental costs, from depleting local water sources to generating toxic waste.

That’s where LOHUM steps in—to break the dependency on virgin mining and instead extract maximum value from batteries already in circulation.

Recycling Reinvented: The LOHUM Way

Traditional battery recycling has largely relied on pyrometallurgy (high-heat smelting) or hydrometallurgy (acid leaching). While these methods recover some critical minerals like cobalt, nickel, and copper, they are often energy-intensive, polluting, and lead to the loss of other valuable materials like lithium and aluminum.

LOHUM pioneers a more efficient and environmentally friendly model—Direct Cathode Recycling and Upcycling, where the lithium-ion battery cathode precursor is recovered and refunctionalized instead of being destroyed and rebuilt from scratch. This technique preserves the molecular structure of the cathode, reducing the need for intensive refining while improving the material’s lifecycle performance.

Recent breakthroughs in direct cathode recycling have shown that such cathodes not only match but sometimes outperform newly manufactured ones. In fact, recycled cathodes have demonstrated faster charging times and longer durability due to their more porous structures, which enhance ion mobility and reduce cracking.

At LOHUM, this innovation is already being scaled with our proprietary recycling processes and material recovery systems, significantly lowering the carbon footprint associated with battery production.

Second Life: A New Chapter for EV Batteries

Even when a lithium-ion battery drops below 80% of its original capacity, as per industry standards, it is far from dead. In fact, in less demanding applications, these batteries have the potential to serve an additional 6 to 10 years. For instance, retired batteries from 3-wheeler EV Battery can be repurposed into stationary energy storage units for solar farms or rural electrification projects.

LOHUM’s repurposing and second-life initiatives create multi-life value chains, reducing waste and delaying the need for recycling. This approach also makes EVs more affordable by offering value buybacks on used batteries, which can then be refurbished and reused.

With each battery we give a second life to, we further our mission of "One Earth. One Mission. Circular Energy for All."

Material Recovery: A Solution to Resource Scarcity

Raw material costs account for nearly 50% of lithium-ion battery production expenses, and prices of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel have experienced annual fluctuations of up to 300%. Moreover, over 60% of the world’s cobalt supply comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a region often mired in ethical and environmental controversies.

By recovering valuable materials from used batteries, LOHUM is reducing dependency on geopolitically sensitive regions while strengthening India’s energy security. Our focus on refining lithium-ion battery cathode precursors locally is a strategic move to power domestic manufacturing with sustainable raw materials, while also making India a global hub for battery component exports.

A Billion-Dollar Opportunity in Circularity

The global lithium-ion battery market is projected to grow tenfold by the end of this decade. This growth, however, must be aligned with sustainability. Regulatory frameworks like California’s mandate for 100% recycling or reuse of EV batteries and India’s Battery Waste Management Rules underline the need for a structured recycling ecosystem.

At LOHUM, we are already ahead of the curve. Through our integrated approach of recycling, reuse, and refining, we are building a scalable, profitable, and environmentally sustainable battery value chain. With over 1 GWh of annual recycling capacity, a robust R&D team, and partnerships across leading OEMs and global stakeholders, LOHUM is poised to lead the battery circular economy revolution.

Closing the Loop, Opening the Future

While some view end-of-life EV batteries as waste, at LOHUM, we see opportunity. Whether it's recovering valuable minerals, extending battery life, or reducing emissions, our approach is driven by innovation with impact.

As the world leans into electrification and the race for sustainable energy accelerates, companies must act with vision and responsibility. LOHUM invites you to join hands in building a circular, low-carbon future—where no battery ends as waste, and every mineral is a step toward sustainability.

LOHUM: One Earth. One Mission. Circular Energy for All.

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