"From Waste to Resource" - The Future of Direct Graphite Recycling in Sustainable Manufacturing"

#Sustainability #CAM #AAM #Graphiterecycling #Directrecycling

It's no doubt that market demand for zero-, low-carbon products is insatiable at the moment with many organisations equally passionate about #decarbonising their operations. Automotive OEMs are equally sending strong messages across their entire supply chains to this effect - since to excel in low carbon batteries is to gain a crucial competitive advantage.

The production of anode and cathode active materials typically requires energy-intensive processes. Whilst the amount of embedded carbon also depends on battery chemistry, production approach, raw-material sourcing and transportation routes.

Active Material Production needs to focus on low emission electricity, advanced technology, optimised processing and an unwavering commitment to carbon emissions reduction. #Reduce #Reuse #Recycle

Fantastic to see updates from leaders such as Pure Battery Technologies, Ascend Elements and Metso and their innovations surrounding #decarbonised #pCAM production via the use of sustainable feedstocks, recycled battery material inputs, reduced processing stages and energy efficient equipment procurement.

Regarding 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 (𝐀𝐀𝐌), Minviro has produced a fantastic white paper titled 'Climate Impact of Graphite Production', which highlights the importance of low carbon energy use, the need for new production routes, waste minimisation and selective reagent supplier approaches.

This is important taking into account China's recent export control embargo on certain 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 materials in addition to its classification as a strategic raw material in the EU's #CriticalRawMaterialsAct. In parallel, there are forecasts of significant demand growth due its application in green technologies outside of EVs such as the BESS, Solar and Wind sectors.

Companies like Ascend Elements, Green Graphite Technologies and American Battery Technology Company are also making excellent strides introducing novel graphite recycling technologies to the market. The latter published a fantastic overview of the challenges faced by pyro- and hydro- recyclers when processing graphite (https://lnkd.in/dpga6Dre).

𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 also offers a fantastic approach without the need for smelting or acid treatment. Despite the progress, there are still challenges to overcome, such as optimising the recycling process, ensuring consistent quality and reducing costs. Key players leading advances in this space include Altilium Clean Technology, Aurubis and the Talga Group.

Direct recycling, although in its relative infancy, appears to be more suited for anode recycling than cathode recycling. This is because anode materials, graphite in particular, can be more easily "repaired" and restored to their original state, making them ideal candidates for this methodology.