Syensqo/Cylib succeed in producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide from spent EV batteries
Energy firm Syensqo and battery recycler Cylib say they have reached a significant milestone in circular battery materials processing by producing high-purity lithium hydroxide from spent EV batteries. This collaboration marks a major advancement in the recovery of valuable materials, as very few recycling companies today can produce lithium at battery-grade, especially lithium hydroxide, the preferred form of lithium for new EV batteries, they add.
A first in the battery recycling industry, this achievement enables the extraction and purification of lithium from shredded battery electrodes, known as black mass, from different battery chemistries, such as NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) and LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate), on a single operating line. This approach simplifies the recycling process, increases versatility and potentially reduces capital expenditures (CAPEX).
As part of the project, hundreds of litres of Cylib’s lithium-rich effluent were processed by Syensqo using an innovative extraction technology co-developed with its engineering partner, Tenova Advanced Technologies. The process uses Cyanex 936P, Syensqo’s proprietary solvent extractant renowned for its exceptional lithium selectivity.
Following extraction, purification, conversion and crystallisation, the resulting product meets, and in some respects exceeds, the strict purity standards required by leading cathode active material (CAM) manufacturers.
This achievement also advances the objectives set by the European Union for lithium recovery in battery recycling. According to the Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, adopted two years ago, recyclers must recover at least 50% of the lithium content in battery waste by the end of 2027, and no less than 80% by the end of 2031.