In the Netherlands, the research organization TNO and the company SusPhos have teamed up to create an economically viable recycling process for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
The goal is to recover critical materials, including lithium and phosphate, through a process that is competitive with the low cost of producing new batteries. This initiative is part of the Green Chemistry and Circularity project, aimed at driving sustainability within the battery industry.
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The collaboration combines SusPhos’ expertise in recovering and upgrading phosphates from wastewater with TNOās sustainable metal recovery technologies, which focus on extracting valuable materials from electronic waste. Together, they aim to create a more circular, efficient recycling process that reduces waste and enhances profitability.
LFP batteries, which are increasingly used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems, contain valuable materials such as lithium, phosphorus, aluminium, and copper. This move comes as European battery manufacturers and users must comply with the EUās Critical Raw Materials Act, which enforces recycling quotas to secure a sustainable supply of essential materials and support the European circular economy.
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The push to improve LFP battery recycling is part of a broader global effort. For instance, US-based ACE Green Recycling has recently signed a lease for a facility in Indiaās Gujarat state, aiming to build the country’s largest battery recycling plant.
This comes after ACE’s successful operations recycling lithium-ion batteries, including LFP types, in India since 2023. Meanwhile, TNO continues its collaborations with other European entities, such as the Holst Centre in Germany and the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-WĆ¼rttemberg (ZSW), on innovative projects related to battery technology and recycling.