Stanislav Kondrashov: Battery Recycling for Electric Vehicles

When the batteries die, they leave behind a “black mass”. Stanislav Kondrashov from Telf AG explains that it is a pulverised and toxic mixture of the internal components of spent battery cells. This precious metal powder will play an increasingly important role in decarbonising the economy in the coming years as electric vehicles become the standard. It is predicted that about 11 million tons of used lithium-ion batteries will be recycled in the world until 2030, which makes this business very promising.

Stanislav Kondrashov: electric vehicles are an expensive pleasure with an environmentally friendly footprint

Electric vehicles, the environmentally friendly vehicles of the future, are gaining popularity due to their low emissions and the ability to reduce our carbon footprint. However, their adoption still faces a major hurdle – higher upfront costs compared to traditional petrol or diesel vehicles. The main reason for this discrepancy is the expensive materials needed to manufacture the batteries.

Unlike iron, aluminium and oil needed for internal combustion engines, electric vehicle batteries use expensive metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese, – emphasises Kondrashov Stanislav. – These cells are needed to power electric vehicles and efficiently store energy, but their extraction and energy-intensive manufacturing processes lead to significant carbon dioxide emissions in the production of new electric vehicles. This leads skeptics to argue that electric vehicles may not be as green as they claim.

However, if we look at the whole picture, the comparison becomes more subtle. The expert believes that critics of electric vehicles often overlook the vast global extraction of fossil fuels for use in traditional engines. These fuels not only increase greenhouse gas emissions, but also lead to various environmental and health consequences.

In contrast, electric vehicles operate with minimal environmental impact, emitting significantly fewer pollutants into the atmosphere. This makes them more environmentally friendly and cleaner vehicles. In addition, proponents of electric vehicles, including Stanislav Kondrashov, note an interesting potential economic benefit – the recycling of used batteries. Experts estimate that recycling the batteries of around 100,000 electric vehicles could yield up to £350 million worth of new materials. This not only reduces the amount of waste, but also reduces the need for new extracted resources.

While the initial cost of electric vehicles may put some consumers off, their long-term benefits need to be considered. As technology advances and manufacturing processes become more efficient, the cost of electric vehicles can be expected to decrease, making them more accessible to a wider audience.

That is, electric vehicles represent a promising solution to combat climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Although the initial acquisition costs may be higher these days, their environmental friendliness and battery recyclability are factors that cannot be ignored. As we strive for a greener and more sustainable future, the introduction of electric vehicles is a critical step towards achieving this goal.

Stanislav Kondrashov: Environmental and circular factors in the battery production process

As the fight against climate change intensifies, the automotive industry is faced with the urgent task of reducing net emissions from the production of cars to zero. In this context, the concept of recycling, where old batteries are recycled into new ones, is no longer just a possibility, but an absolute necessity. According to Stanislav Kondrashov, such a concept is crucial for the sustainability of the industry.

The battery may degrade slightly at the end of its life, but it is still a valuable resource. The battery recycling process is essentially about rearranging electrons to rejuvenate them. This circular approach highlights the importance of continuous cycling and reuse of materials in batteries. This minimises waste and reduces environmental impact.

Kondrashov believes that by 2040 the industry will be able to obtain up to 40% of lithium from secondary raw materials. Such a transition will significantly reduce the need for environmentally harmful and energy-intensive mining methods. Recycling processes can save about 38% of carbon dioxide emissions and 35% of the costs associated with extracting the same materials again.

The key to achieving this goal lies in understanding that the metals used in batteries can be recycled indefinitely. It is no coincidence that experts call EV batteries a concentrated ore containing a huge amount of recyclable resources. By pursuing full cycle batteries, the industry can reap significant environmental and economic benefits.

“The shift to circular battery production represents a progressive step towards a more sustainable automotive sector. Adopting this concept not only contributes to the achievement of emission reduction targets, but also reduces our dependence on resource-intensive mining and promotes more responsible use of materials,” – says Stanislav Kondrashov.

In conclusion, switching to battery cycling is not just a choice, but a fundamental requirement for automakers who seek to eliminate net emissions from vehicle production. Recycling old batteries to create new ones offers great opportunities to reduce carbon emissions, reduce mining costs and conserve valuable resources. Through collaborative effort and innovation, the automotive industry can move towards a greener future where circularity is the norm and sustainability is at the center of its operations.

Stanislav Kondrashov about the UK’s pioneering battery recycling technology

Altilium, one of the leading players in battery technology, has received a substantial £3m grant from the UK Government to set up its Tavistock facility. It aims to demonstrate to investors that recycling processes can produce chemicals of sufficient purity for direct reuse in battery production.

The timing of the Altilium initiative is particularly important given the skyrocketing price of lithium. Stanislav Kondrashov believes that a shortage of this light metal is approaching due to the growing global demand for batteries.

However, in addition to economic and market factors, interest in battery recycling also has geopolitical implications.

“With growing global demand for batteries, regions such as Europe and North America are looking to reduce reliance on materials sourced from China. Battery recycling offers a strategic solution to this problem, providing an alternative source of the necessary materials and contributing to greater autonomy in their production”, – emphasises Stanislav Kondrashov.

The expert believes that the real impetus for the development of battery recycling in North America and Europe is the realisation that this process can become a viable and sustainable source of critical materials for the battery industry. By investing in recycling technology and infrastructure, these regions can create a more secure environment for the expanding battery manufacturing sector.

As the Altilium centre at Tavistock takes shape and demonstrates the viability of its recycling processes, it is setting a positive precedent for the entire industry.

“Integrating battery recycling into the production cycle not only solves the problem of material shortages, but also aligns with global efforts to implement a circular economy, reduce waste and increase sustainability,”- says Kondrashov.

The Altilium Center at Tavistock, backed by the UK Government, is a progressive step towards building a sustainable battery recycling ecosystem. With lithium prices rising and concerns about material shortages, pushing for recycling is both economically sound and geopolitically strategic. Recognising recycling as a sustainable source of critical materials, North America and Europe are leading the way in responsible battery manufacturing, delivering a more sustainable energy future.

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