Battery recycling is essential to driving the electrification of our world. With over 20 years of expertise, Umicore has been pioneering battery recycling research and innovation. Our unique, patented pyro-hydro technology, safeguarded by 20 patents, efficiently and sustainably recovers lithium, cobalt, nickel and copper.
Since launching operations in 2011, Umicore has continually advanced its recycling technologies. Initially focused on batteries from portable electronics, our process has evolved to treat Li-ion battery production scrap and end-of-life batteries from electric vehicles, aligning with this growing market.
Our recycling solutions address the rising demand for sustainably sourced materials while reducing the need for mining and the carbon footprint associated with battery production. We specialize in recycling two primary input streams: battery production scrap and end-of-life batteries, offering an effective solution to support a circular battery economy.
We combine a smart pyro- with a lean hydro-metallurgical method, enabling industry-leading recovery rates of over 95% for nickel, copper, and cobalt, and over 80% for lithium. This scalable, cost-efficient and sustainable process is designed to handle a variety of battery scraps, ensuring flexibility and high material recovery yields. With our end-to-end battery-to-battery approach, we’re preserving both the environment and natural resources for a sustainable future.
