Standardised, Automated, Safe and Cost-Efficient Processing of End-of-Life Batteries for Second and Third Life Reuse and Recycling
Enerji, Cobat, and Everledger Ltd., research centers (Instituto Tecnológico de la Energía, CEA, Tecnalia, and ENEGI, project coordinator), and universities (Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt) are collaborating on a project designed to develop and demonstrate a comprehensive set of innovative solutions to streamline the entire value chain of end-of-life (EoL) batteries from EV and stationary applications. This initiative complies with the Battery Directive requirements in anticipation of a significant future increase in batteries, enabling the second life of batteries within a circular economy in a standardized, efficient, and cost-competitive manner. In this way, the project’s pioneering novelty will be demonstrated by validating logistics, processing, and management solutions in a laboratory environment at the expected performance level (TRL6).
Through these innovative concepts, REINFORCE aims to create an extensive knowledge portfolio with the involvement of key stakeholders and end-users from various sectors to maximize the project’s impact, while also targeting the future commercialization of the project’s solutions. Therefore, the project development is based on a methodology structured around four main pillars:
- Standardized collection and reverse logistics of EoL batteries.
- Comprehensive assessment and discharge of EoL batteries.
- Automated, safe, and efficient dismantling.
- Demonstration.
The objective of the project is to provide a clear pathway towards the creation of business models centered around the consolidation of a new sustainable circular value chain for the reuse, repurposing for the second (and third) life of batteries, and their recycling.
The project “REINFORCE – Standardised, Automated, Safe and Cost-Efficient Processing of End-of-Life Batteries for Second and Third Life Reuse and Recycling” is co-financed by the European Union through the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2021-2027, under project number 101104204 within the topic HORIZON-CL5-2022-D2-01-10, Streamlined collection and reversed logistics, fully automated, safe and cost-efficient sorting, dismantling and second use before recycling (Batteries Partnership), where 4 projects out of 11 proposals were approved.
Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither of these entities can be held responsible for them.
