Recyclus gets lithium battery testbed systems

Technology Minerals Plc, the first listed United Kingdom company focused on creating a sustainable circular economy for battery metals, has announced that its 49-percent-owned battery recycling business, Recyclus Group Ltd., has received three lithium battery (LIB) testbed systems designed to measure a range of different battery chemistries of different sizes at its Wolverhampton. West Midlands, site. 

The LIB testbeds give Recyclus the ability to test the effective capacity of battery packs from a range of electric vehicle (EV) and industrial usages as well as test for degradation or damage at the cell level. By charging and discharging batteries to measure capacity and capture stored energy, the testbeds also can measure a variety of other critical performance test criteria. The ability to discharge stored energy unlocks future opportunities to feed energy back into the national grid and for use on-site. 

“This testing capability is another key development for Recyclus designed to create an additional potential new revenue stream by unlocking more of the value-chain in the battery circular economy,” Chairman of Technology Metals Robin Brundle says. “We are constantly exploring new avenues to expand under our circular economy strategy, and this represents a significant milestone for us in developing our capability for recycling and reuse of batteries, and our ability to harness otherwise wasted energy. Implementing these systems into our process will help to maximize the lifespan of batteries and minimize energy waste.” 

This testing capability enables Recyclus to grade batteries and access the reuse market for batteries alongside recycling. The tested battery packs will be sorted into one of three categories: the first is suitable for reuse as they are, the second group is defective and needs to be recycled and the third group is a split, with some cells being retrievable and others not. It creates an opportunity for Recyclus to send suitable batteries back into alternative, repurposed applications, depending on their condition and test results.  

With U.K. government estimating that nearly 28 million EVs could be on U.K. roads by 2035, a substantial number of battery cells are likely to reach end-of-life that is suitable for reuse in different applications representing a significant market opportunity beyond recycling.  

“Developing this function will allow us to work with manufacturers to increase the amount of carbon offset from the batteries’ production by extending their working life through repurposing into alternative applications, supporting the transition to net-zero, and supporting future and current legislative targets,” Recyclus Senior Battery Engineer Jonathan Regan says.