“The increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries will require large volumes of critical raw materials that are needed to produce batteries”
TECNALIA is developing new routes towards the sustainable reuse and recycling of lithium-ion batteries
TECNALIA is developing novel technologies for the recycling and production of high-performance, low-cost battery materials. The aim is to achieve high recycling rates and material purity, low carbon footprint and increased scalability potential.
The RHINOCEROS project, led by TECNALIA, focuses on the reuse of batteries and the direct production of high-performance cathode and anode materials and other raw materials from battery recycling; the technologies used are low-cost and environmentally friendly.
Less dependence on imports of critical raw materials
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are considered attractive energy storage technology and have proven to be a reliable solution, especially when it comes to low-emission mobility (electric vehicles), followed by the stationary storage market and consumer electronics.
By 2030, the global demand for LIBs is estimated to increase 14-fold and the EU could account for 17%. This growth will require large volumes of critical raw materials that are needed to produce batteries, which are currently imported to Europe and their extraction process has a high environmental impact.
In this context, the RHINOCEROS project develops innovative technologies to reuse and recycle LIBs and thus reduce dependence on imports of critical raw materials such as lithium, cobalt and graphite.
Innovative, circular, high-performance processing chain
The aim of the RHINOCEROS project is to develop economically and environmentally viable routes to reuse and recycle end-of-life LIBs from electric vehicles and stationary energy storage.
In this regard, access to battery materials will be facilitated through the development of an innovative, circular and high-performance processing chain that will reuse or focus on recycling most battery materials.
Within the project, these innovative solutions will be tested and demonstrated in industrially relevant environments.
- As well as coordinating the initiative, TECNALIA is carrying out research and development tasks to extract metals and assess materials for high-performance batteries.
- It will also be responsible for sustainability assessment and support other activities for the scaling-up phase.
Collaboration between companies and scientific-technological experts
The project consortium is made up of companies and scientific and technological experts from nine European countries: Accurec-Recycling, Jean Goldschmidt International - Hydrometal, ECO RECYCLING, ARKEMA FRANCE, TES RECUPYL SAS, WATT4EVER SRL/BV, Leitat Technology Centre, VITO, KARLSRUHE TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, INSTITUTE OF APPLIED MATERIALS - ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS, CHALMERS TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITETET I AGDER, La Sapienza University of Rome, INNOVATION PNO, FORD OTOMOTIV SANAYI and LEVERTONHELM LIMITED.
The RHINOCEROS project has received funding from the Horizon EU research and innovation programme, in accordance with Subsidy Agreement number 101069685.
