Improvement of Adaptability, Flexibility and Efficiency of Existing Recycling Processes (BATT4EU Partnership)

Expected Outcome:Proposals are expected to contribute to all following points:Improving cost and recovery efficiency of existing scaled recycling technologiesDemonstrated technological solutions capable of efficiently recycling diverse feedstocks, including production scrap, and mixed lithium-ion battery chemistriesImproved European competitiveness by reducing EU dependence on imported raw materials through improved recycling processesDemonstrable compliance with the targets and requirements set by the EU Batteries Regulation, including recycling efficiency and material recovery rates. Scope:Proposals under this topic are expected to specifically address innovation actions that enhance the adaptability, flexibility, and operational efficiency of existing battery recycling processes.Projects are expected to explicitly target improvements for processing mixed input streams, particularly production scrap and various lithium-ion battery chemistriesProposals are expected to clearly demonstrate technical innovations in black mass processing, resulting in the efficient recovery of high-purity battery-grade materials suitable for reintroduction into the European battery manufacturing value chain.Proposals are expected to address all of the following points:Development and demonstration of recycling technologies capable of handling variable composition feedstocks, potentially within the same batch.Optimization of hydrometallurgical and/or pyrometallurgical processes for enhanced recovery rates of critical raw metals, aiming to at least achieve recovery efficiencies requirements set by the EU Batteries RegulationDetailed techno-economic assessments (TEA) and comprehensive life-cycle assessments (LCA), demonstrating significant improvements in energy efficiency, CO2 and ecological footprint reduction, and economic viability. Where required, proposals should include robust and digitalised sorting technologies and other advanced pre-treatment technologies.The Commission initiat