Krefeld, Germany-based Accurec Recycling GmbH says it welcomes the European Commission’s new battery regulation, but in a statement issued in late February, says “This comprehensive legislative proposal still needs a few clarifications and detailed definitions.”
The recycling firm, which was founded in 1995, describes itself as a medium-sized company with 80 employees, two locations in Germany and an international battery recycling footprint that generates about €18 million ($21.9 million) in annual sales.
Accurec says the new Batteries Regulation 2020/353 (COD) “contains in large parts important aspects and objectives that include the interests of green circular economy and the recycling industry.”
The company says among unanswered questions, however, is whether new specific waste code numbers will be devised “for the rapidly increasing market of lithium-ion batteries.” Adds the firm, “The current practice in European countries shows a very different use of nonhazardous and hazardous waste code numbers for li-Ion-batteries. This inconsistency hinders appropriate recycling of the batteries, competition and decent investments.”
On the processing side, Accurec states, “The first-time enactment of a recycling efficiency especially for certain metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and copper is welcomed.” However, adds the company, “The plausibility of demanding quotas up to 95 percent needs to be discussed at the scientific level. In order to optimize recycling costs, it is necessary to adjust the quotas, so they can be achieved at industrial level without exceeding costs.”
To reach 95 percent, says the German recycling firm, “further research activities would be necessary, as well as financial support for new recycling technologies in the entire value chain. In order to keep the documentation and statistics demands manageable, already established systems should be tested for their applicability and transferability [such as technology used in the waste electrical and electronic equipment, or WEEE sector].”
Accurec asks further questions pertaining to end-of-life battery collection quotas, battery labeling, and potential conflicts with existing end-of-life vehicle (ELV) and WEEE directives, before summarizing, “For market participants, it is of great importance that all environmental regulations are clear and understandable. This is of great importance for manufacturers and recyclers operating throughout Europe.”