The era of electrified mobility is here. From electric scooters to high-performance EVs and even electric aircraft, the world is shifting rapidly towards sustainable energy solutions. However, with this shift comes a new challenge—what happens to the millions of lithium-ion batteries once they reach the end of their life cycle?
By 2030, it is estimated that over 2 million metric tonnes of EV batteries will require recycling annually. As the world’s demand for lithium-ion battery cathode precursors skyrockets, battery recycling has become critical to closing the loop on battery materials, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring sustainable supply chains.
At LOHUM, we are at the forefront of this revolution, pioneering advanced battery recycling technologies to maximize material recovery and drive circularity in the lithium-ion battery industry.
The Need for Advanced Battery Recycling
Lithium-ion batteries are essential for renewable energy storage and electric vehicles, but the world’s mining operations cannot keep up with the growing demand. New mining projects take years to develop and come with significant environmental risks, such as water depletion and hazardous waste. This makes battery recycling an indispensable solution for the energy transition.
Recycling not only reduces dependence on virgin materials but also mitigates supply chain volatility. The costs of crucial materials like cobalt, nickel, and lithium have fluctuated by up to 300% in a single year, making sustainable material recovery essential for a stable energy future.
Challenges & Innovations in Battery Recycling
Traditional recycling methods such as pyrometallurgical (smelting) processes have high energy demands and environmental costs. They recover valuable metals like cobalt, nickel, and copper but often lose lithium and aluminum in waste (slag), reducing overall efficiency.
LOHUM employs cutting-edge hydrometallurgical and direct recycling techniques to recover materials with higher purity and lower environmental impact. Unlike conventional methods that break down the battery completely, direct recycling preserves the cathode compound, ensuring superior performance while reducing the need for extensive refining.
Second-Life Batteries: A Sustainable Opportunity
Beyond recycling, second-life applications present a promising opportunity to extend the lifespan of EV batteries. While an EV battery reaches the end of its automotive life when its capacity falls below 80%, it can still serve for another 6 to 10 years in stationary energy storage systems.
LOHUM is innovating in this space by repurposing retired EV batteries for grid storage and renewable energy applications, reducing the overall carbon footprint and maximizing value extraction from every battery.
The Future of Battery Circularity
As a BWMR registered Partner, LOHUM is committed to fostering a responsible and circular battery economy. Governments worldwide, including in California, India, and the EU, are enacting policies to ensure 100% battery recycling, promoting extended producer responsibility, and standardizing battery data interfaces for efficient recovery.
The global lithium battery market is projected to surpass $1 trillion in the coming decades, with battery recycling and second-life solutions playing a crucial role in sustainable energy storage. Through continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, and advanced recovery processes, LOHUM is driving the transition towards a greener, more resilient battery ecosystem.
Powering a Sustainable Future with LOHUM
At LOHUM, we believe in redefining battery sustainability through innovation, efficiency, and circularity. Our expertise in lithium-ion battery cathode precursor recovery and material reuse is shaping the future of battery technology while ensuring a cleaner planet for generations to come.
Visit us at: Critical Minerals
Originally published on: Medium
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