Japan Recycles 90% of EV Battery Lithium

JX Metals Circular Solutions in Tsuruga, Japan, has developed a new recycling process capable of recovering up to 90 percent of lithium from electric vehicle batteries. Current industry standards typically achieve less than 50 percent recovery, artificially inflating the demand for newly mined lithium.

The process involves mechanically breaking down batteries, controlled incineration to create “black mass,” and a hydrometallurgical process using lithium hydroxide to separate valuable materials. The new method avoids harsh chemicals like sodium hydroxide, creating a closed-loop system that reduces environmental impact and carbon dioxide emissions by 40 percent.

This development is particularly relevant for Europe, where battery regulations will require manufacturers to recover 50 percent of lithium by 2027 and 80 percent by 2031, targets previously difficult to meet with existing technology. However, the success of this technology depends on establishing robust collection infrastructure for end-of-life batteries, as a significant portion currently ends up in unregulated channels or landfills. JX Metals plans to begin commercial production in 2027, aiming to process 30,000 tons annually by 2035.