EV Battery recycling still being defined

The efficient and economical recycling of EV batteries is not just possible, but inevitable, said a panel of battery-recycling experts at the 2023 Battery Show North America in Novi, Mich. Panelists indicated that although the business model is evolving and is likely to remain comparatively fluid for the near term, the sector's broad directionals are firming and at least a few aspects of the business have become certain - one being that EV batteries ending up in landfills “absolutely will not happen,” asserted Renata Arsenault, Technical Expert for Advanced Battery Recycling at Ford.

Equally important, established recycling companies and startups understand that the EV battery recycling environment will be diverse and require a variety of players at various points and places in the recycling process, said Mike O'Kronley, CEO of Ascend Elements, a startup with a proprietary process focused on recycling material specifically for lithium-ion battery cathodes. He said there will be numerous companies with various specialties needed at different points - geographically and within the recycling process. Localization of both materials supply and operations will be vital as recycling matures, added Ford's Arsenault.