Trends and innovations in recycling technologies, especially lithium batteries

Trends and innovations in recycling technologies, especially lithium batteries

Recycling technologies trends & innovations

Giving a second life to waste is a major challenge for the industry. This is why investing in research and development of new recycling technologies—whether mechanical, chemical, or enzymatic—is crucial. Here, we highlight the most innovative recycling technologies for lithium batteries, metals, textiles, plastics, and more.

Battery recycling

Lithium batteries are part of our daily lives, often without us even noticing. Wireless headphones, mobile phones, smartwatches, toys, computers, drones, solar panels, scooters, bicycles, and any electric vehicle wouldn’t have been possible just a couple of decades ago. Lithium batteries offer high capacity and efficiency until their useful life ends, at which point recycling them becomes a complex process due to the need to separate their various components and materials. This involves extracting valuable metals that can be reused in the manufacturing of new batteries and other electronic products.

Lithium batteries stand out for their high energy density. It is essential to distinguish between primary lithium batteries, which are disposable, and secondary lithium-ion batteries, which are often rechargeable. The main issue with these batteries is that they are reactive, meaning they contain hazardous materials harmful to the environment and our health. Toxic substances in these batteries can contaminate soil and groundwater, which is why they should never be thrown away or sent to landfills. Unfortunately, millions of lithium-ion batteries end up in landfills each year, posing a fire hazard as well.

To avoid this, hazardous battery waste must be taken to a recycling center or a store that collects them. Don’t be surprised if some stores charge for this service. Because they are reactive, batteries often emit gases, which is why they should not be stored in airtight containers. Choose a container that allows air to flow. Until disposal, store them in a cool, dry place, as extreme temperatures can trigger reactions. Additionally, avoid storing different types of batteries together, as this can cause unwanted reactions.

Innovative Recycling Technologies for Lithium Batteries:

Enzymes and Plastic-Eating Bacteria: Research is underway to develop innovative biochemical methods to break down battery components, such as plastic, offering a biological solution to recycling.

Chemical Recycling: This process breaks down the batteries into their basic chemical components, recovering materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and aluminum. Advanced techniques like pyrolysis and Joule heating improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Mechanical Recycling: Traditional methods involve shredding batteries to separate their components. These processes are effective for recovering valuable metals, although they can be energy-intensive and costly.

Advanced Separation Processes: Technologies using sensors and AI algorithms help identify and sort different materials within batteries, enhancing the precision and efficiency of recycling.

Metals recycling

Recycled metals can be used to manufacture cars, appliances, packaging, and more. To reduce our environmental footprint, the field of metal recycling is constantly evolving. Urban mining, a concept promoting the recovery of metals from end-of-life products, is gaining traction.

In the industrial sector, advanced sorting and separation technologies using artificial intelligence and computer vision are making a significant impact. These technologies can identify and separate different types of metals with unprecedented precision. Similarly, spectrometry-based solutions analyze the chemical composition of materials, facilitating the separation of valuable metals.

Notable processes in metal recycling include:

Bioleaching: This method uses microorganisms to extract metals from ores and waste.

Hydrometallurgy: A technique that employs aqueous solutions to dissolve and recover metals, offering greater selectivity and lower environmental impact.

Combining recycled metals with other elements allows for the creation of customized alloys with properties tailored to various industries’ needs.

Textile recycling

When it comes to textile recycling, we have previously discussed the latest trends on this blog. Mechanical processing facilitates the breakdown of textile fabrics while preserving the fibers, which, once shredded, can be spun into new textiles. Chemical processing, on the other hand, produces high-quality fibers comparable to the original material, eliminating the need for new raw fibers in the resulting product.

Different chemicals and processes are applied to materials like nylon and cellulose-based fibers, although the overall process structure remains the same. We also explored how PICVISA’s dual conveyor belt system, capable of processing up to two tons of clothing per hour, sorts garments into over 70 different categories. Our goal was to enhance efficiency and accuracy in garment sorting, not only based on the material they are made of but also considering their tone, color, and shape. We are satisfied with the results achieved.

Plastic recycling

A staggering fact: only 9% of plastic waste is recycled. This underscores the urgency of collecting and processing plastic waste properly and continuing to innovate in recycling technologies. PICVISA offers cutting-edge solutions for sorting and detecting all types of plastics, including the ECOPACK optical sorter and ECOFLAKE optical sorting systems.

To promote better waste management, it is essential to design and manufacture products with recycling and reuse in mind. This involves using recyclable materials and simplifying product disassembly. As we strive to optimize the use of materials found in waste, the recycling industry remains committed to overcoming the current limitations of existing processes. At PICVISA, we are dedicated to advancing toward a circular economy model that reflects our strong commitment to sustainability.