Project: LIthium and Cobalt recovery from batteries coming from the reverse logistics chain of WEEE

Acronym	LICOBAT (Reference Number: ERA-MIN-2018_89)
Project Topic	In 2013, approximately 200,000 tonnes of portable batteries were placed on the EEA and Swiss market, with this high volume and short battery life increasing the disposal flow of end-of-life batteries. In Brazil about 400 million per year of smartphone batteries are sold, of which only 1% is destined correctly. The rest ends up in the common waste, putting at risk public health due to the risks of contamination with heavy metals. In this context, the central issue is represented by the development of processes that allow the recovery of the material from batteries at the end of life, the main objective of this project is to drive the Lithium-ion battery reverse chain toward a circular economy, with a focus on the recovery of Lithium and Cobalt. The scientific basis of the project is the patented hydrometallurgical process (European patent EP2450991) by Eco Recycling srl. The proposed process integrates mechanical pre-treatment with a chemical (hydrometallurgical) treatment route to recover plastics, ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The process will be demonstrated by the construction and operation of the pilot plant with capacity to process 100 kg of batteries per day. For this, the consortium of this project has specialists in mechanical processes, hydrometallurgical processes, reverse logistics and entrepreneurs with great experience in the solid waste management market. This project also aims at a positive social impact, important in emerging countries such as Brazil, where part of WEEE reverse logistics is carried out by Recyclable Material Collectors, people who work manually collecting waste materials without healthcare and security and social dignity.
Network	ERA-MIN 2
Call	ERA-MIN Joint Call 2018

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	Ecosistem srl	Partner	Italy
2	Centro da Tecnologia da Informação 'Renato Archer'	Coordinator	Brazil
3	BIOSYS - Gestão em Meio Ambiente Ltda.	Partner	Brazil