Breakthrough technology: Chinese scientists created a 3D photothermal material that converts seawater to drinking water using sunlight alone, reducing energy use by 45.7%.
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Source: MSN
As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly common on roads around the world, a new challenge is emerging: what happens to their batteries when they reach the end of their useful life?
China, the world’s largest EV market, is already facing this question at scale. Industry estimates show that nearly 400,000 tonnes of retired EV batteries were generated in 2025, and that figure is expected to exceed one million tonnes annually by 2030.
Rather than viewing these batteries as waste, Chinese recycling companies are treating them as valuable urban mines. At a large recycling facility operated by Brunp Recycling, a subsidiary of battery giant CATL, discarded batteries are being transformed into high-quality materials that can be used to manufacture the next generation of EV batteries.
At Brunp’s integrated circular economy industrial park in Yichang, Hubei Province, trucks carrying retired EV batteries arrive every day. Each battery pack is carefully inspected, sorted, and recorded before entering the recycling process.
Most of these batteries have degraded to less than 80 percent of their original capacity. While they can no longer deliver the performance required for modern electric vehicles, they still contain valuable materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, and aluminum.
In the past, weak oversight sometimes allowed retired batteries to re-enter the market through unauthorized channels, creating safety and environmental risks. To address this challenge, China launched a national traceability platform in 2026 that tracks every power battery throughout its lifecycle—from manufacturing and installation to retirement and recycling.
This digital tracking system helps ensure batteries are processed by certified recyclers and gives consumers greater confidence that their retired batteries will be handled responsibly.
Once verified, battery packs move onto automated dismantling lines where robotic systems remove protective casings and separate battery cells.
Safety is a critical concern. Before further processing, each battery cell undergoes complete discharge to eliminate any remaining electrical energy.
The cells are then crushed into small fragments and sent through a series of specialized treatments. High-temperature pyrolysis under a nitrogen atmosphere helps break down materials while preventing unwanted reactions. Additional screening and sorting processes recover metals such as copper and aluminum for direct reuse.
What remains is a fine black powder known throughout the industry as black mass.
Black mass is the most valuable output of battery recycling. It contains concentrated amounts of critical battery minerals, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese.
Recovering these materials efficiently has long been one of the biggest technical challenges in battery recycling.
At Brunp’s hydrometallurgical facility, black mass is mixed with specially formulated acidic solutions inside large reaction tanks. The metals dissolve into a complex liquid mixture, creating what engineers sometimes call a “metal soup.”
Advanced separation technologies then isolate and purify each metal. According to the company, its direct recycling process achieves recovery rates of 99.6 percent for nickel, cobalt, and manganese, while lithium recovery reaches 96.5 percent.
These recovery rates represent a significant improvement over traditional recycling methods, which often suffered from lower efficiency, higher energy consumption, and larger volumes of waste residue.
The purified materials are ultimately converted into battery-grade lithium carbonate and iron phosphate—two key ingredients used in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
One of the most impressive aspects of the operation is its integration with nearby manufacturing facilities. Once regenerated, the materials are transported directly to neighboring plants where they are processed into new cathode materials for battery production.
The entire transformation—from retired battery pack to regenerated cathode raw material—takes only about one week.
Even more remarkable, batteries produced using recycled materials can perform at levels comparable to those made from newly mined resources. According to engineers at the facility, these batteries can support faster charging speeds, longer driving ranges, and lower-carbon manufacturing processes.
Beyond recovering materials, the recycling process is helping improve future battery designs.
Engineers continuously share lessons learned from dismantling and material recovery with battery manufacturers. This feedback loop allows designers to create batteries that are easier to disassemble, recycle, and process at the end of their lives.
Recommendations include simplifying battery pack structures for automated dismantling and optimizing material compositions to improve future recovery and purification rates.
This approach creates a true circular economy: batteries are designed for recycling, recycled into raw materials, and then transformed into new batteries that can eventually re-enter the cycle.
As EV adoption continues to accelerate globally, battery recycling will become a critical pillar of the clean energy transition.
Recycling reduces dependence on newly mined raw materials, lowers environmental impacts, improves resource security, and helps create a sustainable supply chain for future battery production.
The journey from discarded battery to new energy storage device may begin with a substance called black mass, but it ultimately demonstrates something far more valuable: how innovation can transform waste into a strategic resource for a greener future.
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The University of Edinburgh has licensed a gold and copper recovery process to mineral processing company Lithium Universe, enabling cleaner extraction of high‑value metals from electronic waste.
Developed by Professors Jason Love and Carole Morrison in the School of Chemistry, and commercialized with support from Edinburgh Innovations, the Gold Copper Diamide Extraction (GCDE) process uses organic compounds to selectively extract metals from discarded electronics.
Under an exclusive agreement, Lithium Universe will deploy and sub‑license the technology globally as part of its expanding precious metals recycling strategy.
E‑waste is one of the world’s fastest-growing hazardous waste streams, projected to reach around 93.5 million tonnes by 2030, but only about 20% is recycled using environmentally sound methods, the University said.
This waste is valuable, as devices and printed circuit boards are rich in gold and copper. At current prices, the gold content of one tonne of typical e‑waste is worth more than $46,000, with copper adding roughly another $2,000, it estimates.
But traditional e‑waste processing relies on furnace smelting above 1,200°C or aggressive leaching, both energy‑intensive and polluting, the University noted. Its GCDE process instead uses low‑temperature hydrometallurgy and small, reusable organic ligands to target metals in sequence, under mild conditions and avoiding cyanide, mercury and organic solvent extraction.
“Electronic waste is effectively a high‑grade ‘urban ore’. Our goal was to design chemistry that can recover those metals selectively and safely, without the energy and environmental cost of smelting,” Love said in a news release.
“The diamide behaves like a molecular magnet for gold. By following with a selective copper step, we can recover two of the most valuable metals in e‑waste with high purity and lower environmental impact.”
Lithium Universe plans to integrate GCDE into its precious metals recycling division, alongside its silver recovery technologies for end‑of‑life solar panels.
“This breakthrough from the University of Edinburgh reinforces the strategic expansion of our precious metals recycling division into high-value recovery technologies,” executive chair Iggy Tan said. By integrating selective metal recovery with sustainable processing, the company would “strengthen its competitive position in circular-economy solutions for gold, silver and copper recovery,” he added.
Bridge Green Launches Critical Mineral Recovery Plant in Chennai to Advance Battery Circularity
In a significant step toward building a circular battery economy, US-based startup Bridge Green Upcycle has inaugurated a state-of-the-art critical mineral recovery facility in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Strengthening India’s Battery Recycling Ecosystem
Located in Gummidipoondi near Chennai, the newly commissioned plant is designed to process end-of-life lithium-ion batteries as well as battery manufacturing scrap. With an annual processing capacity of 7,200 tonnes, the facility represents one of the most advanced battery recycling operations in the region.
The plant will recover a range of critical minerals, including:
These materials play a vital role in battery manufacturing and are essential for supporting the growing electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage industries.
Recognition Under Government Incentive Scheme
The facility has been selected under the Government of India’s Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme, highlighting its strategic importance in strengthening domestic supply chains for critical raw materials. Notably, it is the only facility in Tamil Nadu included in the first cohort of projects approved under the initiative.
Major Investment Plans Ahead
Bridge Green’s Founder and CEO announced that the company plans to invest between ₹500 crore and ₹1,000 crore over the next five years. The current plant is expected to ramp up operations and reach full processing capacity by the end of this year.
This investment underscores the company’s long-term commitment to developing a sustainable and localized critical minerals ecosystem in India.
Expanding into Refined Battery Materials
Beyond mineral recovery, Bridge Green has outlined ambitious expansion plans. The next phase of development will focus on producing refined battery-grade materials, including:
The company is targeting commissioning of these facilities by the end of 2028. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a second-life battery plant, further extending the lifecycle of battery assets and reducing waste.
Supporting the Circular Economy
As demand for batteries continues to grow worldwide, recycling and material recovery will play an increasingly important role in reducing dependence on virgin mining and improving resource security. Facilities such as Bridge Green’s Chennai plant demonstrate how innovative recycling technologies can help create a more sustainable, resilient, and circular battery value chain.
The launch marks an important milestone not only for Bridge Green but also for India’s emerging critical minerals and battery recycling sector, positioning the country as a key player in the global energy transition.
A key differentiator for Bridge Green is its proprietary technology platform focused on both battery life extension and critical mineral extraction. By combining advanced recycling processes with second-life battery solutions, the company aims to maximize resource utilization while reducing environmental impact.
The company’s strategy extends beyond recycling alone. Bridge Green plans to serve both domestic and international markets, supplying recovered minerals and battery materials to industries including battery manufacturing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, defence, and aerospace.
In addition to mineral recovery, the company intends to provide second-life battery systems for data centres and industrial users. These systems can repurpose batteries that are no longer suitable for electric vehicles but still retain sufficient capacity for stationary energy storage applications, further supporting circular economy objectives.
Capitalizing on Growing Demand
According to Founder and CEO demand for battery-grade materials already exists in India and is expected to grow significantly as the country’s cell manufacturing ecosystem matures. As domestic battery production expands under various government initiatives, the need for locally sourced critical minerals and refined battery salts will become increasingly important.
Bridge Green is also positioning itself to tap into international opportunities. Potential export markets include the United States, Southeast Asia, and Europe—regions that are rapidly strengthening their battery supply chains and seeking reliable sources of critical minerals.
The recently established US–India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Framework presents an additional opportunity for the company. As a US–India enterprise, Bridge Green is uniquely positioned to support cross-border collaboration in securing sustainable supplies of critical materials required for the global energy transition.
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UN Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals
On Thursday, the UN Security Council convened to discuss the links between energy, critical minerals, and global security. The discussion highlighted ongoing UN efforts to ensure that the transition to clean energy is both fair and inclusive.
Despite current geopolitical tensions, the global shift from a fossil-fuel-based economy to one powered by clean electricity continues to move forward.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA)—an independent international body outside the UN system—demand for lithium increased by nearly 30 percent in 2024. Demand for nickel, cobalt, graphite, and rare earth elements also rose by roughly 6–8 percent. This rapid growth is largely driven by the expansion of electric vehicles, battery production, and renewable energy technologies, all of which rely heavily on critical minerals.
Across the UN system—from the Secretary-General to multiple agencies and partners—efforts are underway to guide responsible mineral extraction and use. Through policy guidance, global meetings, and research reports, the UN aims to ensure that the benefits of the clean energy transition are shared broadly and support a low-carbon global economy.
In April 2024, UN Secretary-General António Guterres established the Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals to promote a transition that is just, equitable, and environmentally sustainable, while ensuring that countries and communities rich in these resources benefit fully.
Later that year, the panel published its first report, which Guterres described as a practical roadmap for achieving both prosperity and fairness alongside the growth of clean energy.
The report outlines strategies to ensure that the expansion of renewable energy is grounded in principles of justice and equity. It emphasizes sustainable development, respect for communities, environmental protection, and economic opportunities for developing countries with abundant mineral resources.
Released in June 2025, the UN’s guidance on critical energy transition minerals recommends policies to ensure that mineral extraction and use promote human rights, protect ecosystems, and support equitable development. The framework is built around three key principles:
Human rights at the centre. This includes conducting human rights due diligence, performing impact assessments, securing free, prior, and informed consent from affected communities, safeguarding civic space, and establishing effective grievance mechanisms.
Environmental protection and planetary integrity. The guidance calls for strong environmental and social impact assessments, biodiversity conservation, the designation of no-go zones, decarbonisation of mining activities, circular-economy approaches, and progressive mine-site restoration.
Justice and equity throughout the value chain. The framework stresses meaningful community participation, gender equality, the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples, and fair distribution of economic benefits.
The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) notes that surging demand for critical minerals is reshaping global economic and geopolitical dynamics. As a result, resource-rich developing countries are becoming increasingly central to emerging clean-energy supply chains.
UNCTAD describes the energy transition as a significant development opportunity for these countries. By shifting from exporting raw minerals to processing and adding value domestically, they can greatly increase their economic gains. For example, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, local cobalt processing helped raise export value from $167 million to $6 billion in 2022.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) warns that the rapid expansion of mineral production also carries serious environmental and social risks. UNEP calls for governance frameworks that cover the entire mineral value chain—not just mining sites—and for stronger international cooperation, transparent oversight, and collaboration among governments, industry, and communities.
Mining and mineral processing can lead to high greenhouse-gas emissions, biodiversity loss, pollution, and human rights violations, including impacts on Indigenous communities. In addition, supply shortages and tight markets can cause price volatility, heighten geopolitical tensions, and increase pressure to open mines in environmentally sensitive regions.
Note: Canada is a resource-rich country. Canada does not have to go to another continent for critical mineral. Canada needs investment and technology development (refining and recycling). Bring the investment to Canada.
LAGOS, May 26 (Reuters) – Nigeria is set to commission two major lithium processing plants this year, the country’s mining minister announced on Sunday, marking a shift from raw mineral exports towards adding value domestically.
The facilities, largely funded by Chinese investors, could help transform Nigeria’s vast mineral wealth into jobs, technology, and manufacturing growth within the country. Mining Minister Dele Alake said a $600 million lithium processing plant near the Kaduna-Niger border is slated for commissioning this quarter, while a $200 million lithium refinery on the outskirts of Abuja is nearing completion. Two additional processing plants are expected in Nasarawa state, which borders the capital Abuja, before the third quarter of 2025, the minister said. “We are now focused on turning our mineral wealth into domestic economic value – jobs, technology, and manufacturing,” Alake said. Over 80% of the funding for the four facilities has been provided by Chinese firms, including Jiuling Lithium Mining Company and Canmax Technologies, according to separate announcements by governors of the states where the plants are located.
Read more at: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/nigeria-open-two-chinese-backed-lithium-processing-plants-this-year-2025-05-26/
Yes, Canada is considered a resource-rich country. It has abundant natural resources, including:
These resources contribute significantly to Canada’s economy, especially through exports, and help maintain its position as one of the world’s wealthiest nations in terms of natural wealth
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