Techno-economic and life cycle assessments showed positive profit and environmental benefit potential from bioleaching of lithium-ion batteries

  

graph shows total cost breakdown for bioleaching 10,000 t/y of black mass
Total cost breakdown for bioleaching 10,000 t/y of black mass

CMI researchers at Idaho National Laboratory and University of Arizona conducted the research for this highlight

Innovation 
Techno-economic and life cycle assessments evaluated and improved the economic and environmental sustainability of recycling lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) through bioleaching. 

Achievement

  • 21% net profit margin was projected from bioleaching 10,000 t/y of LIB black mass 
  • Profit was highly dependent on black mass cost and pulp density
  • Bioleaching could be greener than other leaching methods

Significance and Impact
Bioleaching LIB black mass may create a sustainable pathway for critical materials recovery from waste.

Hub Target Addressed 
Provide decision-making insight to research and development; accelerate advanced process development.

bar graph shows Global warming potential comparison with other leaching methods
Global warming potential comparison with other leaching methods

Alipanah, M., Reed, D., Thompson, V., Fujita, Y., Jin, H. (2023). Sustainable bioleaching of lithium-ion batteries for critical materials recovery. Journal of Cleaner Production, 135274.