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Recycling rechargeable lithium ion batteries: Critical analysis of natural resource savings

Author

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  • Dewulf, Jo
  • Van der Vorst, Geert
  • Denturck, Kim
  • Van Langenhove, Herman
  • Ghyoot, Wouter
  • Tytgat, Jan
  • Vandeputte, Kurt

Abstract

Rechargeable Li-ion battery applications in consumer products are fastly growing, resulting in increasing resources demand: it is for example estimated that battery applications account for nearly 25% of the worldwide cobalt demand in 2007. It is obvious that recycling of batteries may help saving natural resources. However, it is not straightforward to quantify to what extent rechargeable battery recycling saves natural resources, given their complex composition, and the complex international production chain. In this paper, a detailed analysis of a lithium mixed metal oxide battery recycling scenario, where cobalt and nickel are recovered and re-introduced into the battery production chain, is compared with a virgin production scenario. Based on detailed data acquisition from processes spread worldwide, a resource saving analysis is made. The savings are quantified in terms of exergy and cumulative exergy extracted from the natural environment. It turns out that the recycling scenario result in a 51.3% natural resource savings, not only because of decreased mineral ore dependency but also because of reduced fossil resource (45.3% reduction) and nuclear energy demand (57.2%).

Suggested Citation

  • Dewulf, Jo & Van der Vorst, Geert & Denturck, Kim & Van Langenhove, Herman & Ghyoot, Wouter & Tytgat, Jan & Vandeputte, Kurt, 2010. "Recycling rechargeable lithium ion batteries: Critical analysis of natural resource savings," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 54(4), pages 229-234.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:54:y:2010:i:4:p:229-234
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2009.08.004
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    Cited by:

    1. Lizin, Sebastien & Van Dael, Miet & Van Passel, Steven, 2017. "Battery pack recycling: Behaviour change interventions derived from an integrative theory of planned behaviour study," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 66-82.
    2. Wang, Xue & Gaustad, Gabrielle & Babbitt, Callie W. & Richa, Kirti, 2014. "Economies of scale for future lithium-ion battery recycling infrastructure," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 53-62.
    3. Marit Mohr & Jens F. Peters & Manuel Baumann & Marcel Weil, 2020. "Toward a cell‐chemistry specific life cycle assessment of lithium‐ion battery recycling processes," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(6), pages 1310-1322, December.
    4. Asari, Misuzu & Sakai, Shin-ichi, 2013. "Li-ion battery recycling and cobalt flow analysis in Japan," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 52-59.
    5. Wang, Wei & Wu, Yufeng, 2017. "An overview of recycling and treatment of spent LiFePO4 batteries in China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 233-243.
    6. Zeng, Xianlai & Li, Jinhui, 2013. "Implications for the carrying capacity of lithium reserve in China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 58-63.
    7. Schmidt, Tobias & Buchert, Matthias & Schebek, Liselotte, 2016. "Investigation of the primary production routes of nickel and cobalt products used for Li-ion batteries," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 107-122.
    8. Ziemann, Saskia & Weil, Marcel & Schebek, Liselotte, 2012. "Tracing the fate of lithium––The development of a material flow model," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 26-34.

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