Frequently Asked Questions About Battery Recycling

• How are lithium-ion batteries transported?

  Discarded lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles and IT assets require careful handling. Battery recyclers with expert knowledge will package, collect and transport retired li-ion batteries from your business to their recycling facilities, ready for processing and repurposing.
  
  Batteries are classified as hazardous waste making them subject to international and in-country legislation governing their safe and responsible movement. When transporting batteries it is important to use a solutions provider that understands this area of regulatory compliance.

• How are electric vehicle and IT asset batteries recycled?

  When batteries arrive at Genplus for repurposing and recycling they are subject to a tracking throughout the process, providing a complete chain of custody and robust audit trail.
  
  Once details have been registered and photographed, residual energy in the batteries is discharged and stored, in some cases directly into energy storage systems used to power the recycling process.
  
  Batteries go through two mechanical processes. The size reduction process involves shredding and hammer milling to make material ready for separation into core components using air and magnetic techniques.
  
  Throughout the process paper and plastics are removed and black mass powder extracted ready for a a chemical process known as hydrometallurgy, which produces graphite, cobalt, hydroxide and lithium carbonate.

• Is battery recycling environmentally sustainable?

  Yes, the battery recycling process is generally considered to be environmentally sustainable. This is because batteries contain a number of toxic chemicals, such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, that can be harmful to the environment if they are not disposed of properly.
  
  Battery recycling also helps to conserve natural resources. Many of the materials used to make batteries, such as lithium and cobalt, are finite resources that are becoming increasingly scarce. By recycling batteries, these materials can be recovered and reused, reducing the need to extract new resources from the earth.
  
  At Genplus we are committed to sustaining tomorrow and have designed our battery recycling processes to be as environmentally responsible as possible. Genplus delivers the highest recovery rates in the industry with zero discharge of waste water and capturing sodium sulphate by-products.
  
  Genplus uses on-site PV systems to run operations on renewable energy, supplemented by recaptured battery energy in energy storage systems.

• What materials are in electric vehicle batteries?

  Batteries are an essential component of electric vehicles, and they are typically made from lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride, or lead-acid. Lithium-ion batteries are the most commonly used.
  
  Lithium-ion batteries are made up of several cells, each containing a positive electrode (made of lithium cobalt oxide or lithium iron phosphate), a negative electrode (made of graphite), and an electrolyte solution (made of lithium salt dissolved in an organic solvent).