Asia’s path to a greener future
BATTERY RECYCLING ---------------
OVERALL
Battery recycling has undergone significant technological advancements over the years. While the pyrometallurgical (dry thermal methods) and hydrometallurgical (aqueous methods) recycling methods remain prevalent, more energy-efficient techniques such as direct recycling, biological recycling and electrolyte recovery have emerged. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the global capacity for battery recycling is approximately 200,000 tonnes per year, with China accounting for half. Despite these developments, a vast number of batteries continue to be discarded. The estimated retired lithium batteries in China reached about 512,000 tonnes in 2021, of which only 299,000 tonnes were recycled. 90 As the world moves towards widespread uptake of battery- powered vehicles, which will make up an estimated 60% of all vehicles sold by 2030, demand for the minerals critical for their batteries will inevitably surge. 91 Battery recycling can help ease the stress on non-renewable raw materials and minimise the amount of waste deposited in landfills. Bryan Oh, CEO of NEU Battery Materials, says that “the industry’s aim is to innovate technologies that are highly efficient to ensure as much of the metals are recycled and used to create new batteries, helping to conserve finite resources and reduce pollution.” Battery recycling efforts are picking up in Asia and globally, especially in major EV markets that are facing metal shortages. For instance, Japan and China are providing subsidies associated with battery recycling equipment and EV battery recycling respectively. India has recently passed battery waste management rules that mandate the collection and recycling of all waste batteries by producers, and promote entrepreneurship. 92 However, several impediments persist, including the lack of standardisation of chemical compositions of batteries, inadequate labelling of battery components, and the absence of extensive tracking
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mechanisms for the disposal and collection of batteries. 93,94 “Significant infrastructure support is required to recycle batteries on a large scale. In some cases, there may also be a lack of economic incentives for recyclers, making it less profitable to recycle batteries. This is especially so for lower value batteries,” says Mr Oh. Another challenge is people’s perception that recycled batteries may be inferior and defective. 95,96, “Recycled batteries can be just as good as newly manufactured batteries, depending on the quality of the recycling process,” says Mr Oh. Newer methods such as direct recycling are found to produce batteries that last longer and charge faster. 97 To improve the scale of battery recycling, it is imperative for the government to provide support, not only in the form of subsidies, but also in improving the infrastructure for collection and recycling. Regulatory support to ensure accurate battery labelling can further facilitate the process. Furthermore, companies must establish appropriate guidelines for returning and replacing batteries, alongside disposal protocols—akin to an extended producer responsibility scheme. Ultimately, there needs to be a behavioural change among people regarding the importance of recycling e-waste such as household batteries and laptops.
“Significant infrastructure support is required to recycle batteries on a large scale. In some cases, there may also be a lack of economic incentives for recyclers, making it less profitable to recycle batteries. This is especially so for lower value batteries.”
Bryan Oh, Chief Executive Officer, NEU Battery Materials
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