In a significant step forward, scientists from Japan have developed a new method to recover up to 90% of lithium from used EV batteries [1]. This breakthrough has the potential to change how EV batteries are made and reused, reducing waste and reliance on imports. The process, which uses a chemical tweak to extract lithium from battery waste, has been shown to be more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional methods [2]. With electric vehicles booming worldwide, the pressure is mounting to find smarter ways to deal with old battery waste.
Japan's innovation could be a major breakthrough, enabling the country to reduce its reliance on imports and stabilize supply chains [3]. The method has been tested at a recycling facility in Japan, where engineers have managed to extract around 90% of lithium from used batteries. This is a significant improvement over traditional methods, which often recover less than 50% of the material [4]. The process involves using recovered lithium hydroxide during recycling, which helps to convert battery waste into high-purity lithium that can be reused in new batteries [5].
The implications of this breakthrough are significant, with the potential to reduce carbon emissions by around 40% compared to conventional recycling techniques [6]. As the world continues to transition to electric vehicles, innovations like this will be crucial in reducing waste and ensuring a sustainable future.
Sources
- https://tech.supercarblondie.com/japan-recovers-up-to-90-of-lithium-from-used-ev-batteries/
- https://www.instagram.com/p/DXhh1JFFPIC
- https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/supply-chain/ev-battery-recycling-push-by-japan-s-jera-targets-90-recovery
- https://www.reddit.com/r/tech/comments/1sm5jdu/japan_finds_a_way_to_recover_90_of_lithium_from/
- https://threads.com/@ourclimatejourney/post/DXhoOqPlM72/japan-finds-a-way-to-recover-of-lithium-from-old-lithium-ion-batteries-source
- https://tech.supercarblondie.com/japan-recovers-up-to-90-of-lithium-from-used-ev-batteries/
