Toyota Chemical Engineering has introduced a new recycling technology for high-voltage batteries, aiming to lower CO2 emissions and improve raw material recovery in the process, the company announced.
As demand for electrified vehicles rises, the need for rare metals such as cobalt and lithium has grown significantly. Toyota emphasizes that efficient recycling is crucial to conserving these limited resources and supporting a circular economy in the transition to climate neutrality. The automaker also notes that European battery manufacturers will be required to process a fixed proportion of recovered rare metals from used batteries starting in 2031.
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Unlike conventional recycling methods, which involve incineration before rare metals are extracted—resulting in higher material losses—Toyota’s process offers a safer and more efficient alternative. The method involves distilling and extracting the highly flammable electrolyte liquid before crushing and sorting battery cells. The recovered materials include large fragments containing aluminum or iron, as well as ‘black mass,’ a powder rich in rare metals.
“Of course, implementing such new processes also means high investment costs,” said Yumi Otsuka, Chief Sustainability Officer at Toyota. “But it is crucial to take a holistic view of the life cycle of a car. Take our KINTO mobility service, for example. Since we manage the vehicles ourselves, it is easier to ensure reuse and recycle the parts and materials.”
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Toyota has been expanding its recycling capabilities globally. In 2023, the company announced a partnership with Cirba for battery recycling in the United States, following an earlier material supply deal with Redwood Recycling. The automaker also launched a recycling collaboration with China’s CATL in 2019.