New batteries from recycled material

Research Project, 2021 – 2023

Purpose and goal: The project aim is to investigate the properties of new battery cells made from recycled material. Used batteries from electric and hybrid Volvo cars will be dismantled, separated and grinded before the metals are recovered by hydrometallurgic methods.
Then new cells will be made from the recovered material. The new cells will be analyzed by Chalmers and Uppsala university, with their knowledge on recycling methods and advanced cell characterization, respectively. Finally, the cells will be tested in Volvo´s battery lab, with focus on how they are aged after long-term cycling. Expected results and effects: The expected project result is to gain knowledge on weather battery cells made from old, aged batteries have some specific impurities that affect their structure or properties. Specifically, we want to investigate the properties after long-time charging and discharging. This knowledge may be used to improve the recycling methods on a laboratory scale.