Designing battery circularity: Co-design of pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy processes

The rise of intermittent renewable energy generation has created exponential growth in lithium-ion battery (LIB) production, particularly for electric vehicles. Currently, most spent LIBs are disposed of in landfills. Recycling these batteries offers an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable supply of critical minerals used in LIB production. This project aims to develop and integrate two innovative, low-emission LIB recycling technologies: an aluminum-based pyrometallurgical process and ion-selective membranes for hydrometallurgical processes. Working closely with industry partners, the team will co-design these technologies and leverage life cycle and techno-economic assessments to guide the optimization and scaling of these processes for real-world applications. If successful at the bench scale, the project will advance to pilot testing at an industrial battery recycling plant. The ultimate goal is to enable recycled supply of LIB materials as a green alternative to traditional mineral extraction.