Syensqo and Cylib Reach Milestone in High-Purity Lithium Recovery from Spent EV Batteries
Lithium extraction from used electric vehicle batteries reaches a significant achievement by Cylib and Syensqo
Syensqo and Cylib have made a significant breakthrough in the battery recycling industry, successfully producing high-purity lithium hydroxide from spent electric vehicle (EV) batteries [1][2][3]. This achievement marks a milestone in lithium recovery, setting new standards for efficiency and purity.
The innovative process, co-developed with Tenova Advanced Technologies, a partner of Syensqo, extracts and purifies lithium from shredded battery electrodes, known as black mass, containing different chemistries such as NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) and LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) on a single processing line. This versatility and potential reduction in capital expenditures (CAPEX) could revolutionize the battery recycling industry [1][3].
The collaboration combines Cylib's hydrometallurgical technology to recover lithium-rich effluent from spent batteries with Syensqo's proprietary solvent extraction technology using CYANEX® 936P, known for its exceptional lithium selectivity [1][2][3]. This synergy enhances both the yield and purity of recovered lithium hydroxide, meeting or exceeding the strict standards required by cathode active material (CAM) manufacturers for new EV batteries [2][3].
This milestone supports Europe's circular economy and aligns with regulatory targets from the European Battery Regulation, which mandates lithium recovery rates of at least 50% by 2027 and 80% by 2031 [3]. Cylib, backed by major investors and preparing to open an industrial recycling plant in Germany in 2026, positions itself as a leader in battery recycling by producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide from used EV batteries, closing the loop in lithium supply for new batteries [2].
Laurent Cohen, in charge of Strategic Development and Alliances for Mining Solutions at Syensqo, commented on the collaboration: "Our collaboration with Cylib demonstrates our commitment to developing new processes and expanding technological leadership in battery recycling." Matthias Breidenbach, Vice President Commercial at Cylib, added: "This achievement demonstrates our commitment to developing new processes and expanding technological leadership in battery recycling."
The latest news in batteries shows that this milestone by Syensqo and Cylib represents a scalable, efficient, and versatile lithium recycling approach that could significantly impact the battery recycling industry by enabling the reuse of lithium in EV battery production with high purity, reducing dependence on raw lithium mining, and helping meet stringent environmental and regulatory demands [1][2][3].
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This successful collaboration between Syensqo and Cylib in lithium recovery from spent EV batteries could impact both the environmental-science and finance sectors. By utilizing advanced technology, they are able to produce high-purity lithium hydroxide, potentially reducing the reliance on raw lithium mining and contributing to more sustainable practices in the industry. The versatility and efficiency of this new process may also lead to significant cost savings, making it an attractive solution for the financial sector.
