We cannot build batteries without their raw materials, especially lithium, cobalt, and nickel. And without batteries we cannot roll out renewable solar and wind technology either. To date, the focus in our minds has rested on recycling battery materials. However, as Azer News points out, those precious metals are in other scrap materials too.
Huge Stockpiles of Battery Materials in Auto Graveyards
Take India, for example, before we move on to Japan. Azer News anticipates a surge of ten million scrapped vehicles in the world’s most populous nation, as tighter emission standards roll out. Recyclers are already eyeing a treasure trove of headlights, taillights, bumpers, and other components there.
However, those gradually rusting hulks also contain lithium, nickel, and cobalt, and these are critical materials for batteries. But Maeil Business Newspaper reports things are changing in Japan, as the government there extends recycling battery materials to all available resources.
Japanese Government Plan for Recycling Battery Materials
The Japanese government is preparing a new recycling bill according to our sources. We understand this legislation will govern the future recovery of rare metals. The overall goal is to establish an ‘ecosystem’ that phases out imports, as international competition for scarce resources continues.
The Nikkei news channel confirms that this new policy will mandate companies to recover and re-use raw materials whenever possible. The law defines these materials as anywhere supply might be become difficult, owing to the supply chain from their country of origin.
The early stages of the project will focus on spent batteries, and their rare metals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt. Affected Japanese battery makers must provide their government with specific plans, including their intended recovery rates. They must also report progress with achieving these goals.
Nikkei believes the Japanese nation collectively discards 3,000 tons of defective batteries, and their discarded parts annually. This represents some 7,000 electric vehicles, assuming a rate of around 1,000 pounds weight per vehicle.
More Information
Japanese Recyclers Report More Lithium Fires
Battery Economics Recycling and Grid Policy
