Green Li-ion Secures Technology for Recycling Lithium Batteries

Green Li-ion announced on Monday that it has successfully developed an innovative recycling technology tailored for lithium iron phosphate batteries, addressing the growing demand for sustainable solutions in the electric vehicle (EV) sector.

The company revealed its breakthrough recycling technology and the readiness to dispatch related equipment named GL LFP. This cutting-edge equipment has the capability to extract various valuable materials from used lithium iron phosphate batteries, including graphite, phosphate, aluminum, copper, sodium sulfate, and lithium carbonate.

The recycling process involves handling batteries that have been crushed into a black mass or powder. The sequential extraction process begins with graphite, followed by phosphate in the first two stages. The subsequent stages focus on extracting aluminum and copper, sodium sulfate, and, finally, lithium carbonate. This meticulous approach ensures the efficient recovery of valuable materials from used lithium iron phosphate batteries.

It is worth noting that the recycling technologies for nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) batteries, commonly found in electric vehicles, differ from those used for lithium iron phosphate batteries. NCM batteries are highly sought after for their cobalt and nickel content, contributing to increased energy density. On the other hand, lithium iron phosphate batteries utilize sodium sulfate, which has traditionally been considered less valuable.

Green Li-ion disrupts this perception by introducing a recycling solution that goes beyond the extraction of sodium sulfate from used lithium iron phosphate batteries. The GL LFP equipment broadens the range of recoverable materials, making the recycling of lithium iron phosphate batteries more economically viable and environmentally sustainable.

Major automakers are increasingly adopting lithium iron phosphate batteries in their EV models. Hyundai Motor Group, which includes popular brands such as Kia, has incorporated lithium iron phosphate batteries into its latest models, including the Kona, Ray, and Niro series. Tesla, a prominent player in the global EV market, has introduced lithium iron phosphate battery models for its Model 3 and Model Y, making them available for sale in South Korea.

Beyond South Korea, leading automotive manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo have embraced lithium iron phosphate battery technology in their models. In parallel, South Korean battery giants like LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK Innovation are actively developing LFP batteries, contributing to the broader adoption of this technology.

Green Li-ion, established in 2020, has attracted significant investment, securing a total of US$36 million in funding. In a notable funding round in September, the company received financial support from Twin Towers Ventures, the investment arm of Malaysian state energy company Petronas. Additionally, Green Li-ion has ambitious plans to operate a factory utilizing its innovative recycling kits in Oklahoma, underlining its commitment to scaling up its sustainable solutions on a larger scale.