Toyota Motor North America and Argonne National Laboratory have embarked on a collaborative effort to advance the recycling of lithium-ion batteries, focusing on direct recycling processes. This initiative comes as part of Toyota’s broader commitment to sustainability and circularity in battery manufacturing, particularly for electric vehicles.
The collaboration, formalized through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), targets the recovery of critical materials from batteries, utilizing end-of-life units and manufacturing scraps. Nik Singh, a Senior Scientist at Toyota’s Research Institute of North America (TRINA), highlighted the dual focus of the project: assessing industrial-scale recycling processes and exploring diverse recycling technologies. “Having Argonne utilize our commercial battery products will help us evaluate the direct recycling process at an industrial scale, in addition to other battery recycling technologies to maintain a diverse portfolio of recycling options for a diverse array of battery platforms and chemistries,” Singh stated.
Key Highlights
- Partnership: Toyota and Argonne National Laboratory under a CRADA.
- Focus: Developing a direct recycling process for nickel, manganese, and cobalt cathodes.
- Benefits: Potential reductions in costs and carbon footprint.
- End Goal: Enhance circularity and supply chain security in U.S. battery production.
Sarah Kennedy, Operations Manager at Toyota, noted the potential benefits of direct recycling, including significant cost savings and reduced carbon emissions. “Based on preliminary projections, direct recycling can potentially offer significant cost and carbon footprint savings,” Kennedy remarked. The project will test these processes, aiming to streamline them for future commercial application, contingent upon successful results.
Toyota’s strategy includes not only recycling batteries after their first life but also repurposing or refurbishing them to maximize the use of extracted raw materials. This approach aligns with Toyota’s Environmental Challenge 2050, which aims for carbon neutrality across the lifecycle of its vehicles by 2050.
For more information on this initiative, further details are provided about Argonne’s ReCell Center and its research activities.
About Toyota
Operating in the U.S. for over 65 years, Toyota has significantly impacted the automotive industry, particularly in the realm of electrified vehicles. With 27 electrified models currently available and more on the horizon, Toyota’s influence is set to grow with the upcoming battery manufacturing plant in North Carolina slated for 2025. Through initiatives like Driving Possibilities, Toyota continues to foster educational opportunities in diverse communities across its U.S. locations.
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