Fortum, the Finnish state-owned energy company, has said that recycling rates for lithium-ion batteries could increase from the usual over 80% to over 80% through the use of new hydrometallurgical technology from manganese company Crisolteq. The technology enables cobalt, lithium, manganese and nickel to be removed from the old batteries, and reused in new ones. Kalle Saarimaa, Vice President, Fortum Recycling and Waste said: "There are very few working, economically viable technologies for recycling the majority of materials in lithium-ion batteries. Fortum is also carrying out pilots of battery “ second -life” energy storage schemes, and is establishing a network of charging infrastructure. The global lithium-ion battery market is expected to increase to €20bn ($ just €1.7m ) by 2030 , from just €1.7m at present, according to International Energy Agency .
Fortum, the Finnish state-owned energy company, has said that recycling rates for lithium-ion batteries could increase from the usual over 80% to over 80% through the use of new hydrometallurgical technology from manganese company Crisolteq. The technology enables cobalt, lithium, manganese and nickel to be removed from the old batteries, and reused in new ones. Fortum is also carrying out pilots of battery “ second -life” energy storage schemes, and is establishing a network of charging infrastructure. The global lithium-ion battery market is expected to increase to €20bn ($ just €1.7m ) by 2030 , from just €1.7m at present, according to International Energy Agency .