Automated soRting and safE pre-procesSing of EoL BaTteries with nOvel smart and fast dismantling, and sepaRation technolgies for direct reuse of high purity materials in Energy storage application (RESTORE)

Research Project, 2024 – 2028

RESTORE represents a pioneering research and development initiative, committed to the challenge of designing, developing and deploying a novel holistic and scalable battery recycling process. RESTORE is dedicated to the safe pre-processing of End-of-life (EoL) battery from Electric vehicles (EV) and domestic Lithium-ion Batteries (LIBs), and aims at developing innovative, safe, cost effective and scalable solution for the separation, recovery, purification, upcycling, and validation of materials and metals, to be directly transformed into new battery precursor and functional materials. The proposed solution will shorten the recycling process, while unlocking the recovery of highly valuable materials, currently lost in conventional recycling process, such as the electrolyte, including both the electrolyte salt and solvents, organic binder, graphite and Cathode Active Material (CAM). The project is driven by key industries in Europe, supported by renown research centres, to ensure battery recycling industry will be able to reach the battery directive, and 2030 Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) targets. The concept is based on three building blocks: i) Improving upstream processes for the sorting of batteries and the liberation of non-battery materials from EV battery packs and prohibit them from entering in the downstream process, while maximizing their valorisation, ii) Improving pre-processing of battery materials to effectively separate active and non-active battery materials, ensuring high-purity outputs. iii) Improving the downstream process to efficiently separate all battery materials and refine them to battery-grade standards, to be directly reinjected into the battery production value chain. Finally, with the support of LCA and LCCA through SSbD assessment, the most promising routes based on recycled materials will be validated on coin cells. The project's outcomes will be effectively communicated, disseminated, and exploited with stakeholders engagement.