Supply Chain: Recycling & Secondary Markets

Environmental Benefits Are Highest for NCM/A Cathode Chemistries & Processes Other Than Pyrometallurgy Mining of input materials for LFP is less CO2-equivalent (CO2e) emissions-intensive than for NMC/A chemistries, resulting in relatively less environmental benefit from recycling LFP than the nickel- and cobalt-based chemistries. Furthermore, pyrometallurgical recycling has been shown to result in greater CO2e emissions than hydrometallurgical and direct recycling for the same battery cathode chemistry.

Figure source: Ciez & Whitacre (2019) Source: Ciez, R.E., Whitacre, J.F. Examining different recycling processes for lithium-ion batteries. Nat Sustain 2, 148–156 (2019), Dunn et al. Electric vehicle lithium-ion battery recycled content standards for the US – targets, costs, and environmental impacts. Resources, Conservation, and Recycling 185, (2022)

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