Simulation-based life cycle assessment of secondary materials from recycling of lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

The EU Battery Regulation is aimed at minimizing negative impact of waste batteries on the environment. Recycling of lithium-ion batteries is one way to reduce those impacts. However, a lack of detailed process-level data is limiting the environmental impact assessment. In this study, the necessary data is generated using process simulation, and is used to estimate the material recovery rates and environmental impacts of a recycling nickel-manganese-cobalt-based battery. We apply and allocate the impacts of recycling to determine secondary battery material carbon footprints. The results were compared with that of primary raw materials based on mass-based and economic value-based allocation. In reference scenario, applying economic value-based allocation resulted in cobalt sulphate and nickel sulphate having 73.5 % and 57.4 % lower carbon footprint than their primary, however, lithium carbonate had a 20.8 % higher footprint. The results indicate the need to improve material recoveries for meeting EU Battery Regulation targets, while minimizing environmental impact.