The material was produced at Cylib’s pilot facility in Aachen using the company’s water-based OLiC (Optimised Lithium and Graphite Recovery) process. According to the company, the recycling process enables the recovery of lithium in a quality that meets industrial specifications for battery production. The successful qualification confirms that recycled lithium carbonate from end-of-life batteries can be reintegrated into established battery manufacturing processes.
Due to confidentiality agreements typical of automotive and battery supply chains, the project partners have not been disclosed. Nevertheless, the qualification and subsequent use of the recycled lithium carbonate in battery cell production indicate that the technology has reached a level suitable for commercial application.
Cylib states that the lithium carbonate produced through the OLiC process is currently being integrated into several new electric vehicle batteries. The project demonstrates the feasibility of closing material loops for lithium within the battery value chain and contributes to the availability of secondary raw materials for the growing electric mobility market.
