Material Flow Analysis of Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling in Europe: Environmental and Economic Implications

This study aimed at a quantitative analysis of the material flows associated with End Life (EoL) lithium-ion batteries’ (LIBs) materials in Europe. The European electric vehicles fleet 2020 was taken as case study, assuming 10-year lifetime for batteries and that related EoL LIBs would be processed by existing recycling plants via pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, or their combination sequence. economic implications (recycling operative costs compared to revenues from sales recycled metals) environmental performances (CO2 eq. emitted, energy demand circularity performances) were assessed. Based on gathered results, capacity will overlook over 78% forecasted LIBs. treatment efficiencies full-scale processes allow recovery 90% copper, cobalt, nickel, manganese, 87% aluminum, only 42% lithium 35% iron entering facilities. In overall, 2030 involve emission 3.7 Mt CO2 an 33.6 GWh. Hydrometallurgy presents best trade-off other strategies. conclusion, this demonstrated current LIBs’ infrastructure inadequate near future direction (i.e., hydrometallurgy) its strengthening should pursue.