Graphmatech, Graphenea, and Northvolt have announced their success in up-cycling end-of-life EV batteries into graphene oxide at an industrial pilot scale. This breakthrough uses the material left after Northvolt has extracted valuable metals and minerals. Until now, that remaining material was left as waste.
Emma Nehrenheim, Chief Environmental Officer of Northvolt, comments: "The upcycling of graphene oxide from recycled batteries represents a great development in our pursuit of a sustainable battery industry in Europe. Batteries contain an abundance of valuable materials which we can recover to reduce our dependence on mining and producing fresh materials. We are proud to have contributed to this development."
Northvolt has supported Graphmatech by optimizing its recycling process at Northvolt Labs recycling plant to obtain a feed of graphite-based material for Graphmatech of sufficient purity to enable upcycling into graphene oxide.
Graphmatech and Graphena will proceed to scale up production to deliver a significant supply of graphene oxide.
Graphmatech uses modified graphene oxide in materials and products it delivers to support the green transition, including hydrogen pressure vessels and pipes that leak 40 percent less hydrogen than current technology.
"Producing graphene oxide from end-of-life batteries makes the entire graphene value chain more sustainable and cost-effective," comments Jesus de la Fuente, CEO of Graphenea Advanced Materials.
Mamoun Taher, CEO of Graphmatech, states "Securing our supply chain in collaboration with Northvolt and Graphenea is a dream come true. We'll enable the green transition with recycled batteries."