Using Water to Recycle Batteries?

Five Second Summary:

Technology start-ups and companies like GRST and BASF are aiming to revolutionize EV battery recycling with water-based technologies, attracting billions in investments.

The Companies:

• GRST (Hong Kong)

• OnTo Technology (Oregon)

• BASF (Germany)

What's Happening:

• Start-ups and established companies are steering towards water-based technologies as a more commercially viable and eco-friendly approach to recycle lithium-ion batteries. 

• Traditional methods involving high temperatures and harsh chemicals are being replaced by water-based binders, offering a less environmentally harmful method for metal recovery from used batteries.

Numbers + Facts:

• Battery-related start-ups attracted US$9.2BN by September this year, exceeding the combined total of the previous two years.

• GRST, a recent winner of the Earthshot prize, aims to raise $50M in the next two years to scale up production at its battery plant.

• The European Council's adoption of the "battery passport" mandates a minimum level of recycled materials for EV and industrial batteries by 2031.

Looking Ahead:

• As demand for batteries rises with increased EV usage, innovations in recycling technologies are gaining momentum. 

• Companies like GRST, with water-based solutions, stand to benefit from regulatory shifts, such as the EU's push for higher recycling rates.

• The focus on sustainable battery recycling aligns with global efforts to reduce reliance on raw materials and create circular supply chains.

• However, in the absence of a major recycling breakthrough, we expect that for the immediate future, demand for critical raw materials such as lithium, graphite, nickel and other battery materials will continue to grow at a rapid pace.doc

Read more: Tech start-ups race to make EV battery recycling sustainable (Via FT)