LCA confirms RecycLiCo CO2 advantages

After several months of waiting, RecycLiCo Battery Materials (previously American Manganese) has announced the results of a life cycle assessment for its lithium-ion battery recycling-upcycling RecycLiCo process.

Conducted by London-based and globally recognized sustainability consultancy Minviro Ltd., the life cycle assessment is a standardized, scientific method for quantifying the direct and embodied environmental impacts associated with the RecycLiCo process.

By considering all material and energy inputs, this assessment conducted by Minviro was done in accordance with ISO standards by the International Organization for Standardization, with a separate critical review being overseen by a panel of independent experts on the LCA.

The report assessed RecycLiCo's process against competing hydrometallurgical recycling methods on the basis of producing one kilogram of nickel-manganese-cobalt precursor material. Such results included global warming potential, acidification potential, minerals and metals depletion, and fossil fuel depletion.

"I am pleased to report that the LCA results confirm RecycLiCo's lower environmental impact to produce NMC precursor and lithium hydroxide, when compared to primary raw material extraction methods or competing hydrometallurgical recycling," said RecycLiCo Battery Materials President and CEO Larry Reaugh.

Global warming potential refers to the potential carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions made by a particular recycling method in producing one kilogram of NMC precursor material. The RecycLiCo process was shown to produce 7.1 kg of CO2-equivalent per kg of NMC precursor material, 166% lower than the 18.8 kg for other hydrometallurgical methods.

According to RecycLiCo, this equates to 17,000 tons of CO2 per gigawatt-hour of NMC battery material recycled, which is roughly equivalent to the average annual emissions of 3,700 internal combustion engine vehicles.

Minviro also found that RecycLiCo resulted in a 35% reduction in CO2-equivalent emissions for NMC precursor production and a 74% reduction for lithium hydroxide production compared to mining these materials.

"To collectively achieve true decarbonization as an industry, we must not cut corners at any angle stage of the lithium-ion battery supply chain and should instead recognize the most efficient and environmentally friendly technologies as an industry benchmark," finished Reaugh.