Summary
- ICoNiChem in the UK and NOVONIX in Canada are partnering to develop nickel-based cathode active materials for electric vehicle batteries
- The project involves recovering nickel, cobalt, and lithium from black mass from end-of-life EV batteries to produce new batteries from recycled metals
- ICoNiChem will receive funding from the Faraday Institute for the project, which aims to strengthen the critical materials supply chain and achieve zero waste
- The collaboration aims to reduce the carbon footprint of electric vehicles by recycling batteries locally and making them more sustainable
- The decision to advance the project into commercial production will be made after electrification tests, marking a historic step in battery recycling and positioning ICoNiChem as one of the first facilities in Europe to recover lithium.
Article
ICoNiChem, a UK-based cobalt and nickel end products manufacturing plant of Cengiz Holding, has partnered with NOVONIX, a Canadian battery materials and technology company, to develop nickel-based cathode active materials. This collaboration is part of the Canada-UK 2024 Critical Minerals Program, with the goal of recovering nickel, cobalt, and lithium from black mass extracted from Li-Ion batteries. The recycled metals will be used to produce new batteries, contributing to a more sustainable manufacturing process.
Under the 2-year project funded by the Canada-UK 2024 Critical Minerals Program, ICoNiChem will recover nickel, cobalt, and lithium from end-of-life EV batteries and production scrap from EV battery manufacturing. NOVONIX will synthesize these metals to create cathode active materials. The Faraday Institute, a UK Government-funded research organization focusing on battery technologies, has awarded £160,000 in funding for the project. This collaboration marks a significant step towards zero waste and strengthening the critical materials supply chain in the battery industry.
ICoNiChem’s Managing Director, Berk Şengül, highlighted the importance of this cooperation in advancing sustainable practices in battery manufacturing. The company already processes 250 tons of black mass annually to recover nickel and cobalt. Through this project, they aim to recycle commercially critical raw materials and incorporate recovered lithium into new batteries. After electrification tests, the decision to move into commercial production will be made, potentially making ICoNiChem one of the first facilities in Europe to recover lithium from end-of-life batteries.
Şengül emphasized the impact of this project on reducing the carbon footprint of electric vehicles. As the electric vehicle market expands globally, the recycling of end-of-life batteries is a crucial issue. By recycling batteries locally, companies like ICoNiChem can contribute to minimizing the carbon footprint of electric vehicles. This project aligns with the UK’s growing electric vehicle market, aiming to support a more sustainable and environmentally friendly battery recycling ecosystem.
The partnership between ICoNiChem and NOVONIX is part of Cengiz Holding’s efforts to promote international cooperation in the development of electric vehicle batteries. By combining expertise in battery materials and technology, the two companies aim to enhance the recycling and production processes for cathode active materials. This collaboration is a significant step towards achieving a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles.
Overall, the collaboration between ICoNiChem and NOVONIX, supported by the Canada-UK 2024 Critical Minerals Program, demonstrates a commitment to sustainable practices in battery manufacturing. By recycling metals from end-of-life batteries and production scrap, the project aims to reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable supply chain for critical minerals used in electric vehicle batteries. This initiative represents a key milestone in advancing environmentally friendly practices in the electric vehicle industry.
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