Lithium (Li) recovery from battery scrap has recently become the primary focus of recycling technology, while much attention and developments have been made in technology for other potential options of Li. Therefore, the goal is to extract lithium from secondary sources in order to reduce the amount of unrecovered lithium that is produced as waste, which is currently estimated to account for 27.33% of the world's productivity of lithium. Through the use of a continuous processing technique to yield battery materials, RELiEF proposes the demonstration of an integrated recycling facility specialized in the extraction of lithium from secondary raw materials.
The project proposed technology attempts to reduce waste lithium by over 70% by processing high-value, battery-grade material. Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5, the closed-loop process for battery active material, and TRL 4, will demonstrate the efficiency of the integrated and continuous process up to the recovery of battery precursors (weekly production of 1.5 to 2.5 kg of battery-active materials is expected from this technique). In parallel, an innovative materials acquisition and processing business model will be developed, with a focus on social and environmental sustainability.
The expected results have an opportunity to considerably reduce the European Union's dependency on imported battery chemicals and raw materials. It is expected that the RELiEF will improve EU productivity in the battery storage value chain. The project demonstrates wide business contribution with its consortium of 12 partners, which includes six small and medium-sized enterprises (ABEE, EXT, EURICE, IST, PEG, TC), four non-profit research and technology organizations (IMNR, INEGI, ZSW, NOVA), two universities (LUT, ULB), and one associated industrial partner (LANX). This involvement, which involves the project's technology and impact-maximization aspects, is primarily provided by creative SMEs.The consortium combines fundamental research techniques, chemical processes, analytical skills, industrial technology development, and strong relationships with the EU's policymaking organizations, recycling, and battery industry.
