CRM-Lion: locally recovering critical materials from lithium-ion batteries

A local circular chain: why is it important?

Lithium-ion batteries contain a significant amount of critical materials, such as lithium, cobalt, manganese, and nickel. These raw materials largely originate from Asia.

After these batteries are used, the raw materials can be recovered. However, instead, old batteries are exported back to Asia in the form of shredded, powdery material (black mass). This black mass is then processed back into raw materials in Asia.

To gain more autonomy in the field of batteries, the four-year CRM-Lion project will start on 1 December, with an investment of 23 million euros, of which 13 million euros is financed by the National Growth Fund.

The goal is to establish our own circular chain to process batteries locally into new raw materials, so that we can produce new batteries ourselves. That is what TNO is working on, together with Back-to-Battery, Eurofins, Nth Cycle, TU Delft, and WMC in the CRM-Lion project (Recovery of Critical Raw Materials from Li-ion Batteries through improved Recycling Processes).

The role of TNO: developing and scaling up electrochemical processes

Within the CRM-Lion project, TNO focuses on recovering materials from black mass (WP3). We do this by developing innovative electrochemical processes. The first step is to research dissolving critical materials in a solvent, such as water. By electrifying the method of recovering critical materials, we can reduce the use of chemicals, which lessens the environmental impact.

After we have optimised the processes for recovering the critical materials, our goal is to scale up and, at a later stage, bring them to market. In doing so, we look not only at technical feasibility but also at economic aspects, such as how profitable this method is.

Our aim is to demonstrate with models that these methods are more sustainable than current methods for battery processing. We are also working on technologies that better fit the capabilities of Dutch industry, such as flexibility in power consumption and minimal emissions to the environment.

Building on the project for a strong battery ecosystem

Project CRM-Lion builds on insights from an earlier TNO project: Green Transport Delta-Electrification (GTD-E). While GTD-E mainly focused on mapping the state-of-the-art battery recycling technologies and the pros and cons of certain techniques, we are now actually working on setting up new, more sustainable, and future-proof technologies.

Together towards a circular chain

Would you also like to contribute to the development of a circular and sustainable battery chain in the Netherlands? Or would you like to know more about the latest insights and technologies? Then contact our team. Together, we can accelerate the transition and ensure that the Netherlands leads the way in recovering critical materials from batteries.