The ReUse project, short for "Efficient direct recycling for low-value LFP battery for circular and sustainable waste management," is a 36-month research initiative. It is funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation program, operating under Grant Agreement No. 101137774, with a substantial EU contribution amounting to €4,927,664.93 in funding. The project commenced in January 2024.

ReUse aims to enhance the circularity and sustainability of the European Lithium-ion Battery (LiB) value chain, aligning with the objectives of the Battery Partnership launched under Horizon Europe. The primary goal is to address the entire low-value Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery waste stream, ranging from production scrap to end-of-life LiB. This will be achieved by developing new recycling processes that optimize the recovery of input elements and components. With a focus on maximizing material recovery, energy efficiency and purity, ReUse will develop a robust, flexible, and sustainable direct recycling process for waste streams of varying composition and quality.

Key technologies for battery and material re-use

The ReUse project is coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC. The Institute and its R&D Center for Electromobility are responsible for the development of direct recycling technologies for the LFP market. This includes the separation and recovery of battery components and materials in the most functional and environmentally friendly way possible. The Fraunhofer ISC is therefore focusing on an automated solution for the fast and safe dismantling of batteries, which is being developed and validated using LFP batteries. The aim is to overcome an important hurdle for the economic implementation of direct battery recycling.

ReUse – new project within the BATTERY 2030+ Initiative

The goal is to enhance the global competitiveness of the European battery ecosystem, aligning with the European Strategic Plan for a clean and sustainable transition towards climate neutrality. Building on the BATTERY 2030+ Roadmap and the European Partnership on Batteries, ReUse aims to contribute to the policy needs of the European Green Deal and efficient recycling technologies. The project will address the urgent need to address the shortcomings related to the technological, economic, and environmental sustainability of recycling End-of-Life LiBs, especially LFP batteries, which make up 46 percent of the global LiB market by 2030.

The research consortium made of 13 partners from 8 different European countries met for the first time for a Kick-off meeting held from the 31st of January to the 1st of February 2024 in Wuerzburg, Germany.
 

Website Project "ReUse"