Renewable Metals UK Ltd; Battery Recycling DEMO Plant, Demonstrator Enhanced Material recovery Operation
Renewable Metals has developed a novel, alkali-based hydrometallurgical battery recycling process that improves critical material recovery rates, with lower investment and operating costs compared to other battery recycling processes. The DEMO project will result in the development of a demonstrator refining plant and will also explore shredding whole battery packs to improve safety and reduce the costs of manual disassembly.
The Demonstrator Enhanced Material recovery Operation (DEMO) project aims to increase recovery, reduce cost, improve sustainability, and generate significant value from the recovery of critical raw materials (Ni, Cu, Li, Co, Mn, and graphite) from lithium-ion battery (LiB) waste.
Lead partner Renewable Metals (RM) has developed a novel, alkali-based hydrometallurgical technology that can recycle all major lithium-ion battery chemistries together in a single processing line, including lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP).
Project highlights:
- Recovery of over 95% of lithium and other key metals (Ni, Cu, Co, Mn), with none of the sodium sulphate waste generated by conventional acid-leaching methods.
- Working in partnership with the University of Birmingham and the Manufacturing Technology Centre to demonstrate improved graphite recovery techniques.
- Exploring the possibility of shredding whole battery packs to improve safety and reduce the costs of manual disassembly.
- Development of a resilient, onshore supply chain for electric vehicle materials.
This project will ensure the UK benefits from cleaner, more efficient battery recycling technologies, reducing cost, improving sustainability, and generating significant value from the recovery of critical raw materials (nickel, copper, lithium, cobalt, and manganese) from mixed lithium-ion battery waste.