Lithium carbonate extracted from used nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries by Aachen-based company “cylib” has been qualified as suitable for industrial recycling. An unnamed international cell manufacturer confirmed that the material meets all the required specifications so that it can be used in the production of new electric vehicle batteries.
Recycling efficiency over 90 percent
According to “cylib,” the lithium carbonate was produced at the Aachen pilot plant using the companyʼs proprietary OLiC technology which is a water-based process for recovering lithium and graphite. The procedure, which is said to have a recycling efficiency of more than 90 percent, also recovers other materials such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese. The carbon footprint is said to be reduced by around 80 percent compared to primary extraction. “cylib” claims the integration of the recycled material into new batteries strengthens the European supply of raw materials and thus reduces dependence on imports.pean supply of raw materials and reduce dependence on imports.
