The CROCODILE project has showcased innovative metallurgical systems based on advanced pyro-, hydro-, bio-, iono- and electrometallurgy technologies for the recovery of cobalt (Co) and the production of Co metal and upstream products from a wide variety of secondary and primary European resources. CROCODILE has demonstrated the synergetic approaches of the considered technologies and the integration of the innovative metallurgical systems within existing recovery processes of Co from primary and secondary sources at different locations in Europe, to enhance their efficiency, improve their economic and environmental values, and has provided a zero-waste strategy for important waste streams rich in Co such as batteries. A lesson learned in the case of the treatment of the black-mass from L-ion batteries is that this strategy involves the recovery, not only of the Co, but also of other valuable metals such as Ni, Mn and Li, the reuse of the residual black mass (cake) after the leaching process, and the recycling of the several solvents involved in the different technologies (DES, extractants) in order to have an economically sustainable process. CROCODILE project has produced a first of a kind economically and environmentally viable mobile metallurgical system based on advanced hydrometallurgical and electrochemical technologies able to produce Co metal from black mass containing Co from different sources of waste streams such as spent batteries and catalysts.
Additionally, the following specific objectives have been achieved: Identify new secondary waste streams rich in cobalt; Optimise the pre-treatment step of secondary waste rich in Co by advanced mechanical, wet mechanical process and pyrometallurgy; Scale up the bio-processing route for primary resources; Develop a detailed market analysis and business models; Screen all the regulatory barriers and provide a bottleneck analysis and a regulatory roadmap; Engage with civil society that includes local and international NGOs
