Production Of Lithium-ion Batteries Research Articles

Unravelling supply chain complexity in maintenance operations of battery production

Europe’s emerging lithium-ion battery production sector faces immense challenges with Supply Chain Complexity (SCC). This article explores sources of and responses to SCC within maintenance operations of battery production. Using an engaged scholarship approach within automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and battery cell manufacturers in Sweden, qualitative data were collected and analysed using SCC theory. Our core findings reveal 37 sources of SCC classified by origin and type and 40 responses across four practice clusters. This study offers in-depth insights into the potential impact of SCC on maintenance operations in battery production and provides actionable guidance for managing complexity. It also identifies five future research avenues: investigating complexity interactions, matching sources and responses, exploring complexity-inducing responses, identifying internal-external interfaces and examining social aspects of SCC. In effect, the study sets the agenda for research on battery production maintenance and positions SCC as a versatile theoretical lens for understanding the emerging battery sector.

Iron bed accelerator for discharging cylindrical NCA battery in salt solution

This study examines the iron bed accelerator for discharging cylindrical NCA batteries in salt solution. The use of Li-ion batteries has increased due to the rise of e-mobility in computers, cell phones, and electric vehicles. Recycling Li-ion batteries for raw material in lithium-ion battery production is increasingly important as the revolution unfolds. When disposing of, transporting, and recycling the battery, it is important to crush it to separate the black mass, plastic, and metal components. However, there is a potential explosion risk due to the remaining voltage in the battery. In recycling, the discharge step is significant. The research aimed to test a new method for discharging cylinder batteries using saltwater and an iron bed. Higher NaCl content increases pH and lowers electrochemical potential for water electrolysis. This unique combination enables the battery to discharge at a high rate. In 6 hours, the battery discharged in a 20 wt.% salt solution with 99.6% efficiency. The battery discharge efficiency decreased when exposed to 25 wt% and 30 wt% salt solutions, attributed to reduced water electrolysis intensity. According to the results of various experiments, it has been observed that as the temperature of the salt solution rises, there is a slight increase in the rate of battery discharge; however, no significant difference has been observed. This article talks about how batteries are discharged. It shows the electrochemical reaction using the Eh-pH diagram for Fe-Na-Cl. It also has a schematic diagram that shows the process and a chemical analysis of the precipitate that forms during the discharge test.

From in-situ experimentation to in-line metrology: Advanced imaging characterization for battery research and manufacturing

The continuous advancement of battery technology necessitates innovative approaches in both research and manufacturing to ensure improved performance, reliability, and safety. This article explores the critical role of advanced imaging characterization techniques, spanning from in-situ experimentation to in-line metrology, in the development and production of lithium-ion batteries. By integrating real-time imaging and diagnostic tools, researchers and manufacturers can gain unprecedented insights into the electrochemical processes, material behaviors, structural defects and their evolutions in commercial-grade batteries. This comprehensive characterization enables the optimization of material compositions, electrode designs, and manufacturing processes, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and longevity of batteries. The synergy between in-situ experimentation and in-line metrology provides a robust framework for addressing the complex challenges in battery research and manufacturing, paving the way for innovations that will meet the growing demands of energy storage systems.

Suppression of Transition Metal Dissolution in Mn-Rich Layered Oxide Cathodes with Graphene Nanocomposite Dry Coatings

The growing demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and the reliance on scarce metals in cathode active materials (CAMs) have prompted a search for sustainable alternatives. However, the performance of Mn-rich CAMs formulated with less Co suffer from transition metal dissolution (TMD). TMD can be suppressed by applying a thin film of carbon or oxide to the CAM but the assumed need for a continuous film necessitates bottom-up coating methods. This has been a challenge for LIB production as well as limiting material choices. Here we show that particulate coatings can also suppress TMD, allowing for scalable, material-independent, dry coating methods. Dry coating the Mn-rich CAM surfaces with graphene encapsulated nanoparticles (GEN) (1 wt%) suppresses TMD while nearly doubling the cycle life and improving rate capacities up to 42% under stressful conditions. The ability to suppress TMD is attributed to the unique chemical and electronic properties of the GEN produced by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The method is general and could provide a scalable path to CAM with less Co.

Tailored biolixiviation of spent LiCoO2 cathode batteries for sustainable metal recovery: Effects of consortia adaptation and particle size

With the rise of lithium-ion battery production, recycling valuable metals like Fe, Al, Cu, Ni, and Co is crucial. This study explores sustainable recovery from spent LiCoO2 cathode batteries via biolixiviation, focusing on microbial adaptation and particle size. Batteries were shredded into four size fractions, with mid-sized fractions (0.5–6 mm) showing the highest metal content and optimal microbial conditions. Microbial consortia were isolated using Modified Czapek-Dox (MCD) and M9 media. Metagenomic analysis revealed shifts in dominant bacteria, with Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria initially, and Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria later. Enzymatic profiling showed increased activity of key enzymes under metal-adapted conditions. Biolixiviation experiments revealed the highest metal recovery in mid-sized fractions at different conditions including the influence of microbial adaptation and the type of media used: Fe (47.2 %-53.0 %), Al (38.7 %-40.5 %), Cu (29.0 %-31.0 %), Ni (25.6 %-27.4 % in the largest fraction), and Co (40.1 %-41.0 %). Adapted consortia had higher recovery rates, offering a sustainable recycling route.

Research progress on comprehensive utilization of fluorine-containing solid waste in the lithium battery industry

With the rapid development of the lithium-ion battery (LIB) industry, the inevitable generation of fluorine-containing solid waste (FCSW) during LIB production and recycling processes has drawn significant attention to the treatment and comprehensive utilization of such waste. This paper describes the sources of FCSW in the production of LIBs and the disposal of spent LIBs. Subsequently, the fundamental characteristics of FCSW were introduced, including resource properties and hazardous attributes. Furthermore, it comprehensively reviews recent technologies for treating FCSW. Finally, future research on FCSW was prospected. This paper aims to provide practical guidance for the treatment and application of FCSW in the LIB industry, help solve the problem of resource recovery in HCSW treatment, and promote the HCSW industry to achieve more efficient and sustainable development.

A comparative study of discharging and leaching of spent lithium-ion battery recycling

Accelerated production of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) implies an increase in the raw materials demand, especially for metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Spent LIBs recycling guarantees the regeneration and reincorporation of valuable materials into the manufacturing industry; therefore, recycling methods and techniques must be optimized. In this investigation, alkaline and reductive acid leaching processes were evaluated and compared in order to determine the effect of parameters such as pH, temperature, and reagents concentrations to achieve selective leaching processes. This study demonstrated that strongly alkaline solutions (NaOH) do not ensure selective lithium and aluminum dissolution. Also, a solid compound, LiAl2(OH)6OH(s) can be formed at pH ∼14, negatively affecting the lithium extraction. On the other hand, reductive acid leaching, with acid sulfuric and hydrazine sulfate (H2SO4 + N2H6SO4) solutions resulted in an efficient system, extracting ≥90 % of Ni, Co, and Mn at 40 °C. Hydrazine is essential as a reductant, although it must be added in excess (40 % excess with respect to the Co, Ni, and Mn content) to suppress copper dissolution. Furthermore, this work demonstrated the possibility of processing the entire spent LIBs sample once the discharge and crushing stages were concluded, avoiding physical separation, without affecting the leaching efficiency and contributing to process economy.

Bringing the state back in the lithium triangle: An institutional analysis of resource nationalism in Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia

International efforts to tackle climate change have ignited a global surge in demand for the “critical metals” that are used in the production of lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles (EVs). Among them, lithium represents a critical strategic component that is concentrated in only a limited number of extractive zones. In theory, limited availability and strong demand creates favourable conditions for producer states. In practice, many states have struggled to nationalize the production of battery-grade lithium, reflecting the dominant role that multinational corporations play in the sector. This paper explores the strategies that producer states in Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia have used to navigate this rapidly changing dynamic, making the case that the recent surge in demand for battery metals has created new opportunities for challenging the oligopoly of multinational capital but the ability of governments to reorient production linkages for enhancing incomes, technical capacity, and economic opportunity in the production of lithium derivatives remains structurally and historically constrained by the institutional legacies of nationalization and social mobilization that vary across the three states. Drawing upon the “political settlements” literature, we contend that national and subnational efforts to exert greater control over the lithium sector can be attributed to the institutional legacy of political contestation and the role of social actors in crafting new power configurations that challenge dominant state-business coalitions.

Microfluidic Shape Analysis of Non-spherical Graphite for Li-Ion Batteries via Viscoelastic Particle Focusing.

The size and shape of graphite, which is a popular active anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), significantly affect the electrochemical performance of LIBs and the rheological properties of the electrode slurries used in battery manufacturing. However, the accurate characterization of its size and shape remains challenging. In this study, the edge plane of graphite in a cross-slot microchannel via viscoelastic particle focusing is characterized. It is reported that the graphite particles are aligned in a direction that shows the edge plane by a planar extensional flow field at the stagnation point of the cross-slot region. Accurate quantification of the edge size and shape for both spheroidized natural and ball-milled graphite is achieved when aligned in this manner. Ball-milled graphite has a smaller circularity and higher aspect ratio than natural graphite, indicating a more plate-like shape. The effects of these differences in graphite shape and size on the rheological properties of the electrode slurry, the structure of the coated electrodes, and electrochemical performance are investigated. This method can contribute to the quality control of graphite for the mass production of LIBs and enhance the electrochemical performance of LIBs.

Mechanical methods for materials concentration of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells and product potential evaluation for recycling.

The production and sales of lithium-ion batteries (LIB) are rapidly expanding nowadays, causing a significant impact on the consumption of critical raw materials, such as lithium. Thus, developing and improving methods for the separation and recovery of materials from LIBs is necessary to ensure the supply of critical raw materials, as well as to meet the recycling targets set by some countries. This study evaluated and compared two mechanical routes to concentrate materials of LiFePO4 (LPF) cells. In addition, the economic, environmental, and scarcity risk potential of the products obtained through the best mechanical route were evaluated. The first route involved 6 grinding cycles in a knife mill, followed by particle size separation into 3 fractions. The second route involved a single grinding cycle (knife and hammer mill were tested), followed by particle size separation into 6 fractions. The second route showed more promise, with obtaining fractions rich in (1) iron, (2) aluminum and copper, and (3) cathode materials. Additionally, less operating time and energy consumption were necessary. The hammer mill offered a better separation for the iron and the cathodic materials (LiFePO4), while the knife mill proved to be more effective in concentrating the aluminum and copper. The product potential evaluation of the best route revealed that the priority fractions for recycling in economic and environmental assessment in LFP2 are 2 < n < 9.5mm (due Cu and Al) and n < 0.5mm (due Li). Considering the scarcity risk, priority should be assigned to the recycling of the fraction n < 0.5 due to lithium.

Double Perovskites: Promising Positive Electrode Materials for Potassium Ion Batteries

The popularity of electric vehicles over the last decade has led to a boom in lithium-ion battery production. Large amounts of lithium resources have been consumed resulting in a lithium shortage.[1] To overcome the challenge of excessive consumption of lithium resources, alternative battery technologies to Li-ion batteries must be considered. Potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) have been proposed as an alternative battery technology to Li-ion batteries and are at the early stage of development.This study focuses on investigating the viability of employing the novel double-perovskites as positive electrodes for KIBs. Double perovskites have some structural similarities to the well-developed KIB positive electrode materials, Prussian White or Prussian Blue Analogues. The 3D open framework is favorable for supporting the insertion/deinsertion of K-ions and K-ion diffusion. In this research, new double-perovskites have been successfully synthesized using the solid-state methods, under both inert and reducing atmospheres. The utilization of choice of transition elements on the B-site in the perovskite structure is beneficial for increasing energy density, enhancing electronic conductivity, and improving the structure stability of the material. Preliminary characterization, including powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), were conducted to verify the phase purity, crystal structure, and atomic ratio of different elements in the synthesized material.At the same time, electrochemistry tests were conducted by cycling the perovskite in half-cells, revealing an irreversible capacity decay in the first cycle. To further investigate structural changes of the perovskite during cycling, operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was employed. This method enabled the study of the oxidation states of the transition metals in the perovskites, providing advanced insights into the redox reactions occurring within cells with positive electrodes.Obtaining a detailed understanding of the structure of these perovskites is crucial. Thus, powder neutron diffraction (PND) and variable temperature neutron diffraction (VT-PND) have been gathered to study the structural evolution, site occupancy and octahedral tilting with upon heating in both inert and reducing atmospheres.Reference:[1] AP News, https://apnews.com/article/china-ev-lithium-united-states-battery-87eb9382a0181bb7ee64e835efe7b170, (accessed December 2023).

Room Temperature Efficient Regeneration of Spent LiFePO4 by Direct Chemical Lithiation

The exponential production of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and electronic applications leads to the creation of a huge stock of batteries at the end of life. Considering the current economic, geopolitical and environmental context, the recycling of these spent batteries is becoming an urgent need in order to mitigate environmental pollution and limit the waste of valuable and critical resources1.In this work, we report a rewarding direct recycling process of spent LiFePO4 cathode material by direct chemical lithiation in solution2. After safe opening of the spent commercial battery, a structural, morphological, spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of the spent LFP cathode was carried out to identify the reason(s) of battery failure. The results obtained by XRD (Fig 1a) and Mössbauer spectroscopy (Fig 1b) show that the loss of lithium in the cathode (up to 50%) consumed during formation and growth of the SEI during cycling, is the major reason of the end of life of these batteries, in total agreement with the literature3.To address the lithium shortage problem, a recycling process via direct chemical lithiation in organic solution at room temperature of the LFP cathode has been implemented. Lithium iodide (LiI) dissolved in several solvents such as acetonitrile, cyclohexane, ethanol, DMSO, methanol and propan-1,2-diol was used as both the reductant and the lithiation agent. The best results were obtained with the cathode regenerated in ethanol, which is also the most captivating and environmentally friendly solvent. The different characterizations of this regenerated cathode allow evaluating the efficiency of the regeneration process. Mössbauer spectroscopy (Fig. 2a) confirms the total reduction of FeIIIPO4 to LiFeIIPO4, while electrochemical characterization (Fig. 2b) shows encouraging properties with a reversible capacity of ~168 mAh/g for the regenerated LFP.

A Rapid Low-Temperature Method for Direct Recycling of Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes

Batteries provide a promising pathway for transitioning from a society heavily reliant on fossil fuels to one that supports sustainable energy generation and transportation. However, the current production of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) pose a sustainability challenge due to their dependence on energy-intensive and critical mineral-dependent cathode manufacturing which results in high greenhouse gas emissions and global supply chain risk for critical minerals.[1] Moreover, a significant number of retired batteries, with a typical service life of 5–10 years, end up in landfills or oceans, exacerbating environmental concerns.[2] In this respect, cathode recycling has emerged as a potential solution to address the sustainability issues of LIBs, including critical metal availability, battery waste, and the carbon footprint of the LIB manufacturing process. However, current cathode recycling technologies, primarily based on pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy methods, are limited to recovering raw metals that necessitate the re-synthesis of cathode materials, leading to significant greenhouse gas emissions and secondary waste streams.[3] As an alternative, direct cathode recycling that utilizes regenerated spent cathode materials in the manufacturing of new batteries, has garnered a great deal of attention.[4] This method eliminates the need for additional purification or resynthesis processes, offering high economic return and environmental benefits. For direct recycling, it is important to replenish consumed Li and restore the structure and chemical state of transition metal atoms (e.g., Ni, Co, and Mn) in cathodes. However, current direct recycling methods, such as solid-state sintering, hydrothermal treatment, and the molten-salt method, still necessitate high energy input due to the requirement for multistep processes and/or thermal annealing at elevated temperatures and pressures for prolonged durations.[1,4] Therefore, it remains a challenge to develop a facile and rapid ambient condition (e.g., 25oC at 1 bar) direct recycling method.Herein, we propose a rapid room-temperature recycling method for spent LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co2O2 (NMC) cathodes, utilizing a Li-rich solvated electron solution. The low reduction potential of the solution accelerates the regeneration kinetics of spent NMC, allowing a complete recycling reaction in just minutes with no residue remaining for additional active material washing. This direct recycling method results in a regenerated NMC cathode that closely mirrors the crystal structure, composition, and chemical states of pristine materials, and delivers energy capacity and cycle life comparable to the original. Notably, the concentration of Li ions and free electrons in the solution can be quantified, enabling precise restoration of depleted Li and lost capacity with near-perfect stoichiometry, which thus achieves a long-standing goal in the recycling process. Altogether, this work paves the way to a more energy-efficient and feasible direct recycling process for spent LIBs.

A coarse-to-fine ensemble method for capacity prediction of lithium-ion batteries in production

ABSTRACT The grading process is a critical stage in the production of lithium-ion batteries. Measuring capacity by full discharge is time-consuming and energy-intensive. Therefore, accurate and efficient capacity prediction is essential. However, current methods still require improvements in data selection, prediction accuracy and handling of dirty data. This paper proposes a coarse-to-fine ensemble learning framework using LightGBM regression algorithm to predict battery capacity. The framework uses raw statistical data directly, instead of complicated features extraction. From different perspectives of the whole data and classified data, the capacity is predicted from coarse to fine, and the semi-dirty data is predicted separately. The method is verified using lithium-ion battery datasets collected from actual industrial production lines. The experimental results show that the mean absolute error and mean absolute percentage error on the test set are 0.31 Ah and 0.11%, respectively, outperforming other regression prediction algorithms. Additionally, semi-dirty data, which accounts for 0.26% of the dataset, is predicted effectively.

Direct Upcycling of Degraded LiCoO2 Material Toward High‐Performance Single‐Crystal NCM Cathode

AbstractThe growing volume of spent lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) with degraded LiCoO2 (D‐LCO) cathodes is arising as an environmental concern as well as a waste of strategic resources. Current recycling strategies for D‐LCO materials primarily focus on metal extractions (Li and Co), which produce large quantities of wastewater and waste residues and consume substantial amounts of energy. Inspiringly, the rapid proliferation of electric vehicles has catalyzed the ever‐increasing production of LIBs with ternary layered oxides as the prevalent cathode materials. Herein, this work reports a simple, green, and economic upcycling strategy for direct transformation of D‐LCO into high‐performance single‐crystal LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (NCM111) cathode materials. By simultaneous lithium replenishment, particle size reduction, and chemical composition engineering in the upcycling process, the NCM111 product delivers a high specific capacity (159.0 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C) and an excellent cycling stability (82.1% retention after 200 cycles at 1 C), outperforming those of commercial materials. This work highlights the immense potential of upcycling strategies in mitigating the environmental ramifications of spent LIBs and paves the way for the sustainable development of LIBs industry.

Energy-economy-environment assessment of key feedstock production for ternary lithium-ion batteries via hydrometallurgical recycling and natural exploitation

The rapid increase in lithium-ion battery (LIB) production has intensified the demand for critical metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable practices in LIB lifecycle management. Recycling LIBs is an effective measure generating feedstocks for refabrication in order to address resource strain, mitigate environmental impacts, aligning with the goals of cleaner production and sustainability. This study aims to provide a comprehensive energy-economy-environment assessment framework for feedstock production (Li2CO3, NiSO4·6H2O, CoSO4·7H2O) via hydrometallurgical recycling and natural exploitation. We compare recycling 1t of spent ternary LIBs to traditional natural exploitation methods by considering energy consumption, economic costs, and environmental impacts. Recycling routes incur 2.9–9.3 × 104 MJ energy consumptions, 3.8–4.4 × 104 CNY economic costs and 1.5–4.2 × 103 kg CO2 eq. emissions, while natural exploitation routes result in 4.6–8.6 × 104 MJ, 1.1–2.0 × 104 CNY and 2.7–3.9 × 103 kg CO2 eq, respectively. This study reveals that, in most environmental impact categories, natural exploitation routes fall between pyrolysis and non-pyrolysis recycling routes. Furthermore, significant difference in environmental and energy impacts per unit feedstock production are observed when utilizing mass-based and value-based allocation methods. When adopting mass-based, carbon emissions of Recycling route1 (based on full-component pyrolysis) is 41% of that using Li2CO3 from brine route for 1 kg of Li2CO3 production. This value increases to 112% when adopting value-based. Similarly, energy consumptions of Recycling route 1 are 65% and 175% of those using Li2CO3 from brine route, for mass-based and value-based methods, respectively. Our findings provide insights supporting sustainable battery recycling processes, which could further contribute to the broader field of cleaner production by promoting resource efficiency, reducing environmental impacts, and fostering sustainable industrial practices.

Development of a Process for Direct Recycling of Negative Electrode Scrap from Lithium-Ion Battery Production on a Technical Scale and Its Influence on the Material Quality

Development of a Process for Direct Recycling of Negative Electrode Scrap from Lithium-Ion Battery Production on a Technical Scale and Its Influence on the Material Quality

Pilot-scale phosphorus recovery from biogas slurry to produce battery-grade FePO4: Chemical enhanced primary treatment coupled adsorption process

Recovering phosphorus (P) from wastewater was expected to bring win–win profits for environmental protection and clean energy industries. Ferric phosphate (FePO4) was a key raw material for lithium-ion battery production for new energy vehicles, which was a more valuable and promising product for recovering P from wastewater. There were challenges in recovering high-purity FePO4 from wastewater with complex components, especially in achieving large-scale recovery. Here, a pilot-scale platform, the Chemical Enhanced Primary Treatment (CEPT) coupled Fe@aminated-polyacrylonitrile (Fe-NH2-PAN) adsorption, was established for recovering battery-grade FePO4 from biogas slurry. The platform stably removed over 80% of PO43− from biogas slurry during long-term operation, the removed PO43− was enriched in chemical sludge and Fe-NH2-PAN, and then was leached into H2SO4 solution. FePO4 crystal was successfully recovered from the leaching solution (822.35 ± 15.91 mg/L PO43−) with a recovery rate of over 75%. Importantly, the lithium-ion battery prepared from recovered FePO4 exhibited excellent and stable electrochemical performance (with stable discharge specific capacity of 100.4–106.7 mAh/g at 1.0 C). This study provides a new path for large-scale P recovery in WWTPs.

Rare metal concentration features at a caldera type deposit in the Miocene-Quaternary boron-lithium province of North America. Search for analogues

The fact that lithium has a wide range of applications in many fields including the production of lithium-ion batteries determines an increased interest in lithium mining. The most common types of lithium raw material sources are underground brines, saline lakes (“salars”), and ore minerals. In 2021, the first and unique deposit of lithium clays was discovered in the McDermitt caldera (Nevada, USA). Its resources are estimated at 13.7 million tons of lithium carbonate with the lithium concentration of 2231 mg/l. The uniqueness of this deposit raises the interest in the formation of model ideas about lithiumclay genesis to search for analogous deposits and explore them. The purpose of the article is to provide an overview of the geological structure and describe the main development periods of the McDermitt caldera. The authors also characterize the potential sources of lithium (felsic igneous rocks and hydrothermal fluids), migration paths of lithium-bearing brines as well as the formation mechanism of clays with a high lithium content (hectorite, illite and smectite). A generalized formation model of this type of deposits is proposed. Particular attention is paid to the role of hydrothermal fluids as a potential additional source of lithium “supply” to the caldera basin. Key criteria characteristic of industrial accumulations of lithium of this type have been formed in order to explore and identify analogous deposits. In conclusion, the authors put forward a hypothesis about the presence of deposits that are analogous to the Thacker Pass in the McDermitt caldera in the lithium province on the Altiplano-Puna plateau in one of the calderas of the Altiplano-Puna volcanic complex, and in Eastern Kamchatka.

Valuation conflicts in Madagascar’s mining reform: A pragmatic inquiry into surplus distribution from strategic transition minerals

Lithium-ion battery (LIB) production as a central part of decarbonisation strategies is driving mineral extraction in countries of the global South, where they exacerbate existing conflicts over the creation and distribution of value. Value, however, is a contested concept. Following the pragmatic sociology of values, we argue that the analysis of value creation and distribution cannot be separated from the intersubjective and normative conflicts over valuation. We examine valuation controversies in Madagascar as a mining dispute by describing the grammar of values on the example of taxation design in Madagascar’s mining reform influenced by LIB production. Empirical evidence from ethnographic fieldwork and expert interviews on negotiations between stakeholders’ different principles of value helped identify conflicting value justifications and finding local compromises. Here, the pervasive nature of neoliberal economisation is monopolised by a specific interpretation of value wired to investors’ expectations and complicated by path-dependent legacies. Our analysis illustrates how asymmetric economic power favours particular economic and operating registers of a ‘green capitalism’ valuation system. Building on the analytical gain of Heinich’s novel pragmatic value approach, we show how the recent mining reform in Madagascar is contested and that compromise around value remains fragile (or impossible) in the current institutional context.