Source: HBL
Context: A policy brief for the G20 suggests establishing a global fund to invest in increasing recycling capacities for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs).
Need:
- There is a rising demand for minerals like Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, and Graphite.
- Existing battery waste materials have significant potential and can generate a value of around $4,800-5,200 per tonne.
- Safe and environmentally beneficial recycling
- Battery recycling is at a nascent stage with gaps concerning technology in reducing recycling costs and improving material recovery capacity.
Lithium-ion battery recycling technologies:
Technologies | Description |
Mechanical Separation | This technology involves the physical separation of lithium-ion battery components through mechanical processes such as shredding and sieving. |
Pyrometallurgical Process | It is a high-temperature process that uses heat to melt and separate battery components, recovering valuable metals like lithium, cobalt, etc. |
Hydrometallurgical Process | In this process, lithium-ion batteries are dissolved in a liquid solution, and chemical reactions are used to separate and recover valuable metals. |
Lithium Recovery from Electrolyte | This specific process targets the recovery of lithium from the electrolyte of lithium-ion batteries, which can then be reused or processed further. |
Biological Process | This emerging technology involves the use of biological agents or microorganisms to extract and recover valuable materials from lithium-ion batteries. |
India’s steps:
- Battery waste management Act 2022 confers the Producers (including importers) the obligation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for the battery that they introduce in the market to ensure its collection and recycling.