High-Volume Battery Recycling: Technical Review of Challenges and Future Directions

The growing demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), driven by their use in portable electronics and electric vehicles (EVs), has led to an increasing volume of spent batteries. Effective end-of-life (EoL) management is crucial to mitigate environmental risks and prevent depletion of valuable raw ma...

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Main Authors: Sheikh Rehman, Maher Al-Greer, Adam S. Burn, Michael Short, Xinjun Cui
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Batteries
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2313-0105/11/3/94
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author Sheikh Rehman
Maher Al-Greer
Adam S. Burn
Michael Short
Xinjun Cui
author_facet Sheikh Rehman
Maher Al-Greer
Adam S. Burn
Michael Short
Xinjun Cui
author_sort Sheikh Rehman
collection DOAJ
description The growing demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), driven by their use in portable electronics and electric vehicles (EVs), has led to an increasing volume of spent batteries. Effective end-of-life (EoL) management is crucial to mitigate environmental risks and prevent depletion of valuable raw materials like lithium (Li), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn). Sustainable, high-volume recycling and material recovery are key to establishing a circular economy in the battery industry. This paper investigates challenges and proposes innovative solutions for high-volume LIB recycling, focusing on automation for large-scale recycling. Key issues include managing variations in battery design, chemistry, and topology, as well as the availability of sustainable raw materials and low-carbon energy sources for the recycling process. The paper presents a comparative study of emerging recycling techniques, including EV battery sorting, dismantling, discharge, and material recovery. With the expected growth in battery volume by 2030 (1.4 million per year by 2040), automation will be essential for efficient waste processing. Understanding the underlying processes in battery recycling is crucial for enabling safe and effective recycling methods. Finally, the paper emphasizes the importance of sustainable LIB recycling in supporting the circular economy. Our proposals aim to overcome these challenges by advancing automation and improving material recovery techniques.
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series Batteries
spelling doaj-art-994e2cec0ada4caf9700d48010d150562025-08-20T03:43:02ZengMDPI AGBatteries2313-01052025-02-011139410.3390/batteries11030094High-Volume Battery Recycling: Technical Review of Challenges and Future DirectionsSheikh Rehman0Maher Al-Greer1Adam S. Burn2Michael Short3Xinjun Cui4School of Computing Engineering and Digital Technology (SCEDT), Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UKSchool of Computing Engineering and Digital Technology (SCEDT), Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UKSchool of Computing Engineering and Digital Technology (SCEDT), Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UKSchool of Computing Engineering and Digital Technology (SCEDT), Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UKSchool of Computing Engineering and Digital Technology (SCEDT), Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, UKThe growing demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), driven by their use in portable electronics and electric vehicles (EVs), has led to an increasing volume of spent batteries. Effective end-of-life (EoL) management is crucial to mitigate environmental risks and prevent depletion of valuable raw materials like lithium (Li), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and manganese (Mn). Sustainable, high-volume recycling and material recovery are key to establishing a circular economy in the battery industry. This paper investigates challenges and proposes innovative solutions for high-volume LIB recycling, focusing on automation for large-scale recycling. Key issues include managing variations in battery design, chemistry, and topology, as well as the availability of sustainable raw materials and low-carbon energy sources for the recycling process. The paper presents a comparative study of emerging recycling techniques, including EV battery sorting, dismantling, discharge, and material recovery. With the expected growth in battery volume by 2030 (1.4 million per year by 2040), automation will be essential for efficient waste processing. Understanding the underlying processes in battery recycling is crucial for enabling safe and effective recycling methods. Finally, the paper emphasizes the importance of sustainable LIB recycling in supporting the circular economy. Our proposals aim to overcome these challenges by advancing automation and improving material recovery techniques.https://www.mdpi.com/2313-0105/11/3/94EV battery recyclingIoTautomationLIB chemistriessortingend of life (EoL)
spellingShingle Sheikh Rehman
Maher Al-Greer
Adam S. Burn
Michael Short
Xinjun Cui
High-Volume Battery Recycling: Technical Review of Challenges and Future Directions
Batteries
EV battery recycling
IoT
automation
LIB chemistries
sorting
end of life (EoL)
title High-Volume Battery Recycling: Technical Review of Challenges and Future Directions
title_full High-Volume Battery Recycling: Technical Review of Challenges and Future Directions
title_fullStr High-Volume Battery Recycling: Technical Review of Challenges and Future Directions
title_full_unstemmed High-Volume Battery Recycling: Technical Review of Challenges and Future Directions
title_short High-Volume Battery Recycling: Technical Review of Challenges and Future Directions
title_sort high volume battery recycling technical review of challenges and future directions
topic EV battery recycling
IoT
automation
LIB chemistries
sorting
end of life (EoL)
url https://www.mdpi.com/2313-0105/11/3/94
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AT maheralgreer highvolumebatteryrecyclingtechnicalreviewofchallengesandfuturedirections
AT adamsburn highvolumebatteryrecyclingtechnicalreviewofchallengesandfuturedirections
AT michaelshort highvolumebatteryrecyclingtechnicalreviewofchallengesandfuturedirections
AT xinjuncui highvolumebatteryrecyclingtechnicalreviewofchallengesandfuturedirections