LIMEX, Innovative Membrane Extraction of Lithium for Spent Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling.

Research Project, 2019 – 2022

LIMEX is a project devoted to the creation of a new industrial sustainable scale recycling process for the recovery of lithium and other metals from rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The goal of the project is to develop a process based on supported liquid membranes to create a compact plant with few moving parts. The chemistry process will be designed to avoid pollution and reduce the likelihood of a fire, spill or other event which has a harmful consequence outside the recycling site.

It is expected that new reagents for the recovery of lithium will be developed, these can be used both in recycling and analytical work. By a good recycling process for lithium ion batteries the production of waste will be reduced, also the reuse of valuable metals will increase. The need to mine new lithium will be reduced, this will help conserve mineral resources and reduce the need for environmentally harmful practices associated with mining.