The German Federal Ministry for Financial Affairs and Local weather Safety (BMWK) is funding the event of a holistic recycling method for lithium-ion batteries with 16.66 million euros. As a part of the LiBinfinity undertaking, a recycling pilot plant is being constructed on the Mercedes-Benz web site in Kuppenheim to allow environment friendly recycling administration of battery supplies.
Particularly, the funding will go to a consortium led by Licular GmbH. Licular GmbH is a three way partnership of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Daimler Truck Holding AG – the now independently working elements of the previous Daimler AG had introduced the muse of Licular within the spin-off and spin-off report. Along with Licular’s shareholding, Mercedes-Benz and Daimler Truck even have a direct stake in LiBinfinity, whereas different undertaking companions embody Primobius, the SMS Group in addition to TU Clausthal, KIT and TU Berlin.
Throughout the framework of the undertaking, a mechanical-hydrometallurgical course of is to be developed which, in keeping with the BMWK announcement, fully dispenses with energy-intensive course of steps. Within the course of, the battery is dismantled and pre-sorted – aluminium such because the battery housing could be reprocessed instantly. Supplies that can not be simply separated mechanically are then cut up again into the unique supplies with the assistance of water and chemical compounds. This is applicable, for instance, to the cathodes and anodes, the place not solely the energetic supplies must be separated from the service foils, but in addition the precious uncooked supplies resembling lithium, nickel, cobalt or manganese must be reprocessed in keeping with kind. With the hydrometallurgical course of, a lot increased recycling charges could be achieved than with the pyrometallurgical course of, i.e. the energy-intensive melting of the battery.
LiBinfinity, nonetheless, is meant to transcend the mere reprocessing of the fabric. A completely complete method is being developed – from the event of logistics ideas to the reintegration of recyclate into the life cycle of the battery.
With the ministry’s announcement, additional key knowledge on the pilot plant in Kuppenheim are actually recognized: It’s to have an annual capability of two,500 tonnes. To date, Mercedes had solely confirmed rumours that it was planning a pilot recycling plant in Kuppenheim – however had not given any particulars concerning the scope. Whether or not the later manufacturing facility for recycling on a bigger scale will even be in-built Kuppenheim stays open. Based on earlier data, it’s to be constructed elsewhere for causes of house.
The undertaking companions need to use recycling not solely to extend the sustainability of the batteries, but in addition to organize for future targets. Based on the BMWK, the targets proposed by the EU Fee as a part of the EU battery regulation (which is at the moment nonetheless being voted on within the European trilogue process) will “result in in depth investments in new recycling capacities and applied sciences”. From 2031, for instance, recyclate quotas are to use to massive traction and industrial batteries. Which means that a sure minimal quantity of recycled cobalt, lithium and nickel should be used within the new manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries.
“In battery manufacturing, closed uncooked materials cycles are our purpose: traction batteries must be reused in automobiles after their first use and recycled on the finish of the product. This will increase the ecological advantages of electromobility, reduces Europe’s dependence on uncooked supplies and takes account of social considerations within the worth chain,” says Michael Kellner, Parliamentary State Secretary on the BMWK. “To realize this, the institution of recycling capacities and the event of progressive processes for recovering uncooked supplies from lithium-ion batteries are central – and we’re selling each with this undertaking.”
With reporting by Sebastian Schaal, Germany.
bmwk.de (in German)