UrbanCRM

Battery recycling volume is expected to increase from the current amount of 50 kton to 420 kton (range 200-800) by 2030. Despite this projected 750% increase, there is still no truly circular and efficient recycling process. Current methods for recycling Li-ion and other batteries involve either pyrometallurgy – an extremely (fossil) energy-intensive process in which elements are lost – or ‘linear’ hydrometallurgy, which generates substantial waste streams, including massive quantities of sodium sulphate, posing a significant environmental hazard and high operational costs.

At the same time, the European Commission and other governing bodies are focusing their attention on creating a CRM recycling infrastructure in Europe, further reducing CRM dependence on non-European countries, and addressing the increasing demand for CRMs. The Critical Raw Materials Act, Clean Industrial Deal and Battery Regulation point directly towards new and innovative solutions that position Europe as a leader in Clean Tech innovations and in Climate Agreement goals.

TNO has developed UrbanCRM: a zero-waste, fully regenerative recycling process for Li-ion batteries and other CRM-carrying waste streams. Using electricity and water, the process recovers the CRMs and produces no by-products of any kind. All chemicals used in the process regenerate within the system, reducing costs significantly. The recycling technology can operate at room temperature and requires no fossil-fuel-burning heat. The modular technology is also highly effective at recovering CRMs for reuse, whether in new Li-ion batteries or for any other applications.

The concept behind UrbanCRM has already been proven in separate steps, and the team is now integrating the individual process steps into a full, regenerative process. The team will focus on incrementally scaling its current prototype to accommodate larger and larger quantities of material, and preparing the innovation for industry application.

Beyond the obvious environmental benefits of a waste-free and energy-efficient battery recycling process, UrbanCRM offers a number of key advantages to the battery value chain. First, by keeping CRMs within Europe, UrbanCRM can contribute to reducing Europe’s material dependence on other countries. Second, the updated battery regulation will require lithium recovery and recycling rates to double by 2030 and UrbanCRM can help recyclers meet these requirements. This will enable them to become a key player in new European value chains for battery manufacturing and recycling. Lastly, the CRM Act requires an increased input of secondary CRMs into new products such as batteries. UrbanCRM can serve the growing need for local demand and controlled secondary CRM supply. Also, this zero-waste, fully regenerative process is a major step towards a fully circular economy.

Although UrbanCRM is currently focusing on Li-NMC batteries, the modular technology can be adapted to provide circular recycling process for LFP batteries, printed circuit boards (PCBs) and photovoltaic (PV) cells from solar panels. In particular, PCBs and PVs are currently responsible for growing and concerning waste streams. With UrbanCRM, these waste streams can be responsibly processed, and the recovery of CRMs and other metals greatly increased.

UrbanCRM aims to effectively and efficiently address industry needs, environmental demands, and regulatory requirements, all in a single, circular solution for CRMs.

Could UrbanCRM technology benefit your market position? Contact us for investment and/or development opportunities.