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However, the journey of battery recycling isn’t as simple as one might hope. The initial step in the recycling process is battery disassembly. Due to discrepancies in battery designs based on the model and manufacturer, this step requires meticulous attention to detail. Technicians work diligently to dismantle the battery packs, successfully segregating reusable materials from those that cannot be recycled.
Following disassembly, the next phase involves purifying the extracted materials. Techniques such as hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy are employed to extract and refine the metals. This part of the process presents inherent challenges; it is both laborious and energy-intensive, raising concerns regarding the environmental sustainability of the recycling method itself.