L R AS Published on Monday 31 January 2022 - n° 391 - Categories:lithium batteries
Germany plans to install battery recycling units
Electric vehicles are only just starting to be sold, and the Germans are looking into the recycling of used batteries: the Fraunhofer ISI has published its study on the subject.
Around 2.5 megatonnes (2.5 million or 2.5 billion?) of new batteries are expected to be produced in the EU between now and 2030. This raises the issue of the environmental footprint of vehicle batteries, but also the safety and availability of raw materials, and therefore the competitiveness of German and European industries. So there is enormous potential for developing economic activity.
In Europe, the volume of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and battery components to be recycled could amount to around 230 kilotonnes per year from 2030 and around 1,500 kilotonnes per year from 2040 (compared with current recycling capacity in double figures (between 10 and 99 kT). This corresponds to annual growth of 30% in the recycling industry. It makes sense to bring battery manufacturers and recyclers closer together in Europe.
According to the study, there is an urgent need to launch such a recycling industry to help the industry re-establish a lead market.
Tecsol of 27 January 2022
