Networking with other EU projects took place. This collaboration has made possible to establish synergies that can be exploited even after the end of the project to continue the activities and improve the results already achieved. This activity was aimed at establishing a connection between the implemented project and activities concerning the recycling of batteries and WEEE carried on, at national and European level, in the framework of LIFE and non-LIFE projects.
Three different EU project were involved in LIFE LiBat networking activities:
CROCODILE project (H2020 programme)
LIFE4HEATRECOVERY project (LIFE+ programme)
LiPLANET project (H2020 programme)
CROCODILE Project (H2020 programme)
TARGET: CROCODILE is a project focused on the recovery of cobalt from black mass (in which Eco Recycling is participating) for the recovery of Co from Lithium-ion batteries and other secondary raw materials.
The CROCODILE project will showcase innovative metallurgical systems based on advanced pyro-, hydro-, bio-, iono- and electrometallurgy technologies for the recovery of cobalt and the production of cobalt metal and upstream products from a wide variety of secondary and primary European resources.
Additionally, CROCODILE will produce a first of a kind economically and environmentally viable mobile commercial metallurgical system based on advanced hydrometallurgical and electrochemical technologies able to produce cobalt metal from black mass containing cobalt
Main synergies with LIFE LiBat: the most relevant connection with the Crocodile project is linked to the transferability activity of LIFE Libat, in which a process is envisaged for the recovery of cobalt and other valuable elements from Li-Ion batteries. The technology developed in their project allows the electrode powder leaching with a green leaching agent but does not provide for the recovery of lithium or an innovative mechanical treatment such as the cryomechanical one. A technical synergy between the two processes would allow the development of an even more performing Li-Ion battery treatment technology.
LIFE4HEATRECOVERY project (LIFE+ programme)
http://www.life4heatrecovery.eu/
TARGET: This project is focused on the energy saving and effective tools design in order to recover and re-use waste energy from industries in DHC network (District Heating and Cooling).
LIFE4HeatRecovery solutions will integrate effectively multiple heat sources from urban wastewater and service buildings, where they are available along the DHC network, by managing energy at different temperature levels.
Main synergies with LIFE LiBat: The specific separation of the metallic/non-metallic components from the spent lithium batteries which is performed in the LiBat project results in the accumulation of a fraction, containing a relevant quantity of paper and plastics, which potentially represents energy to be recovered. The projects networking was focused on the evaluation of possible use of the non-metallic fraction from batteries recycling treatment to produce energy that can be used, for example, in district heating systems and integrated in urban heating infrastructure.
The fraction of paper and plastic obtained from the LiBat prototype will therefore represent a valuable energy source and contributes to the recovery yield of the process
LiPLANET project (H2020 programme)
TARGET: LiPLANET’s overall objective is to create a European innovation and production network regarding lithium batteries, bringing together the most relevant European Lithium battery cell pilot lines and the main stakeholders of the battery sector. Their mission is to create a European innovation and production network of research pilot lines for lithium batteries production to accelerate innovation, increase the basis of trained experts, create synergies, favour collaboration with the industry and academia and further the production of battery cells towards industrial scale in the EU.
Main synergies with LIFE LiBat: Lithium batteries, primary or Li-Ion, are currently the core technology of the sector with ever increasing innovation. The lithium batteries developing trend is accompanied by severe environmental concerns about the management of the waste flux resulting from the disposal of end-of life batteries. The LiBat project meets this need. The LiBat process involves only hydrometallurgical treatments, avoiding environmental problems related to pyrometallurgical approach. Technical, economic, and environmental advantages resulting from implementation of the LiBat process have been demonstrate. In this way a relevant interconnection point with the LiPLANET project would be the closure of the batteries and lithium (CRM) loop: research, production, use, disposal and finally recycling.