Lithium-ion battery recycling—a review of the material supply and policy infrastructure

Abstract The current change in battery technology followed by the almost immediate adoption of lithium as a key resource powering our energy needs in various applications is undeniable. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are at the forefront of the industry and offer excellent performance. The application...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNPG Asia materials Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 43 - 20
Main Authors Tembo, P. M., Dyer, C., Subramanian, V.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Tokyo Nature Publishing Group 30.08.2024
Nature Portfolio
Subjects
Garbage collection
Life cycle analysis
Life cycle assessment
Lithium
Lithium-ion batteries
Pyrometallurgy
Recycling
Refurbishment
Threat evaluation
Waste management
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Summary:Abstract The current change in battery technology followed by the almost immediate adoption of lithium as a key resource powering our energy needs in various applications is undeniable. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are at the forefront of the industry and offer excellent performance. The application of LIBs is expected to continue to increase. The adoption of renewable energies has spurred this LIB proliferation and resulted in a dramatic increase in LIB waste. In this review, we address waste LIB collection and segregation approaches, waste LIB treatment approaches, and related economics. We have coined a “green score” concept based on a review of several quantitative analyses from the literature to compare the three mainstream recycling processes: pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and direct recycling. In addition, we analyze the current trends in policymaking and in government incentive development directed toward promoting LIB waste recycling. Future LIB recycling perspectives are analyzed, and opportunities and threats to LIB recycling are presented.
ISSN:1884-4057
1884-4049
1884-4057
DOI:10.1038/s41427-024-00562-8