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Lithium-ion battery recycling has historically been low. Until recently, the global recycling rate was between 5% and 10%, depending on the country and the technology used, with the exception of China, which was already recycling more than 30%. This not only poses a pollution problem but also wastes a scarce and difficult-to-extract material.
El reciclaje de baterías de iones de litio ha sido históricamente bajo. Hasta hace poco, el porcentaje global de reciclaje estaba entre 5% y 10%, dependiendo del país y la tecnología utilizada, con la excepción de China que ya reciclaba más del 30%. Esto no solo plantea un problema de contaminación sino que además es un desperdicio de un material escaso y difícil de extraer.
But this may change, as Chinese researchers have recently developed an innovative process that allows for the recovery of up to 99.99% of lithium from used batteries. This method uses glycine, a common amino acid, to capture metal ions such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese, preventing the formation of toxic byproducts and reducing pollution of recycled materials. Furthermore, the excess glycine can be reused as agricultural fertilizer.
Pero esto puede cambiar ya que recientemente investigadores chinos han desarrollado un proceso innovador que permite recuperar hasta el 99,99% del litio de baterías usadas. Este método utiliza glicina, un aminoácido común, para capturar iones metálicos como litio, níquel, cobalto y manganeso, evitando la formación de subproductos tóxicos y reduciendo la contaminación de los materiales reciclados. Además, la glicina sobrante puede reutilizarse como fertilizante agrícola.
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The process involves forming microbatteries inside the battery to be recycled. By mixing particles from old batteries with iron salt, sodium oxalate, and liquid glycine, a layer of iron is created that acts as the anode, while the recycled battery material acts as the cathode. This configuration triggers a reaction that breaks down the battery structure, facilitating the dissolution and separation of metals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese.
El proceso consiste en formar microbaterías dentro de la batería a reciclar. Al mezclar partículas de baterías viejas con sal de hierro, oxalato de sodio y glicina líquida, se crea una capa de hierro que actúa como ánodo, mientras que el material de la batería reciclada funciona como cátodo. Esta configuración provoca una reacción que descompone la estructura de la batería, facilitando la disolución y separación de metales como litio, níquel, cobalto y manganeso.
This process is fast and efficient, allowing almost all of the materials to be extracted in just 15 minutes. This advance is significant, as traditional acid or ammonia leaching techniques are typically less efficient and more harmful to the environment. The new method offers a more sustainable and effective alternative for recycling lithium-ion batteries.
Este proceso es rápido y eficiente, permitiendo extraer casi la totalidad de los materiales en apenas 15 minutos. Este avance es significativo, ya que las técnicas tradicionales de lixiviación con ácido o amoníaco suelen ser menos eficientes y más perjudiciales para el medio ambiente. El nuevo método ofrece una alternativa más sostenible y efectiva para el reciclaje de baterías de iones de litio.
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In addition, China has established more than 10,000 power battery recycling service points, and in the first five months of 2023, approximately 115,000 tons of batteries were recycled, surpassing the total from the previous year. This figure is expected to increase to one million tons per year after 2025.
Además, China ha establecido más de 10.000 puntos de servicio de reciclaje de baterías de energía y, en los primeros cinco meses de 2023, se reciclaron aproximadamente 115.000 toneladas de baterías, superando la cantidad total del año anterior. Se espera que, después de 2025, la cifra aumente a un millón de toneladas por año. 
This discovery appears promising and could be an important step toward more efficient, economical, and sustainable lithium battery recycling. However, it is important to note that, although the initial results are very encouraging, further research is still needed to assess the feasibility of implementing this process on a large industrial scale.
Este descubrimiento parece prometedor y podría ser un paso importante hacia un reciclaje de baterías de litio más eficiente, económico y sostenible. Sin embargo, es importante tener en cuenta que, aunque los resultados iniciales son muy alentadores, aún se requiere investigación adicional para evaluar la viabilidad de implementar este proceso a gran escala industrial.
More information/Más información
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/recover-rare-metals-lithium-ion-batteries/
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The fact that this process is fast
This process is fast and efficient, allowing almost all of the materials to be extracted in just 15 minutes.
Extracting lithium this efficiently is a major step forward. The reuse of glycine as fertilizer adds another layer of sustainability that could make a real impact, from all the blogs you've been writing, I get more hope each time of a better tomorrow ahead of us
With the proliferation of battery use and how wasteful it has been, innovations like this will be a game changer!
It is a shame that the byproduct of a recycling process has to be as valuable as lithium to drive innovation but I suppose it is the world we live in.
I wonder if this process can be sold to other parts of the world so these batteries can be recycled with greater efficiency everywhere. Or will they keep it for themselves and bolster the value of their recycling industry.
You find and report on the coolest innovations.