Activities

“As batteries are becoming a strategic market, the European Parliament has adopted new rules to address the related environmental, ethical and social issues.”

European Parliament

The growing demand for lithium batteries
From portable batteries to lithium-ion batteries to large industrial accumulators, batteries represent the technology of the future.
In the coming years, the demand for lithium batteries for electric vehicles is set to grow exponentially. This increase will not be limited to the automotive sector, but will extend for example to robotics, unmanned aircraft, military technologies, medical equipment, telephony, photovoltaic systems where batteries play a fundamental storage function, etc. In addition to technological evolution, the push will come above all from the climate emergency that requires us to find alternatives to fossil fuels.

The energy transition as a solution
The transition towards renewable energy sources represents an effective response to these challenges. Electrification is advancing rapidly and it is expected that by 2030, global demand for lithium batteries could increase up to 14 times the current need. (Source: European Parliament)

End-of-life battery management
Once they reach the end of their life, all these batteries will need to be managed appropriately. Currently, recovery chains and technologies are not yet fully developed. There are two main problems to address: the high cost of recycling and the flammability of batteries, which represents a safety risk during storage and transport. However, the direction is clear: we cannot stop, but we must proceed with determination.

Reuse of used batteries
Often, owners of electric cars get rid of their still-functioning vehicle because it has lost part of its initial range. The reduction in battery range, due to aging, does not necessarily imply a loss of the capacity to store energy. These battery packs can be re-engineered and reused profitably for energy storage, with low charge and discharge currents, such as in applications related to photovoltaic systems. In addition, there are many other market sectors in which energy density and size are less stringent than in the automotive sector, such as earthmoving machines, cranes, agricultural tractors and other industrial machinery. The applications can be multiple and, if we truly adopt a green logic, we must not limit ourselves to thinking only about cars.

Efficient battery recycling
When it is not possible to give batteries a second life, it is essential to focus on an efficient recycling process. Lithium batteries are made of composite materials, mainly metals, which are essential for the energy transition.

Importance of battery recovery
In essence, the activity of battery recovery, both to regenerate them and to recover precious components, is essential for the protection of our planet. This process prevents precious materials from being dispersed into the environment, thus contributing to sustainability and the protection of natural resources.