Revolutionizing Sustainability: Toyota Unveils Innovative Battery Recycling Technology

As more electric vehicles hit the road, the need for rare metals like cobalt and lithium is growing. These materials are limited, making recycling essential for a sustainable, circular economy focused on climate neutrality.

Starting in 2031, European battery makers will be required to use a portion of rare metals collected from old batteries.

Toyota is developing a new recycling method that’s more efficient than traditional approaches. Typically, old batteries are burned first, which can result in material loss. However, Toyota’s method ensures safer processes with better recovery rates.

Here’s how it works: the flammable electrolyte liquid in the batteries is distilled and extracted. Then, the battery cells are crushed, sorted, and sent back into production. This yields large chunks of materials like aluminum and iron, along with a ‘black mass’ powder containing various rare metals.

Toyota is expanding its recycling capabilities worldwide. For instance, in 2023, they partnered with Cirba for battery recycling in the USA, following a material supply agreement with Redwood Recycling earlier that same year. Toyota also has ongoing collaborations with Chinese battery manufacturer CATL since 2019.

Yumi Otsuka, Toyota’s Chief Sustainability Officer, highlighted the challenges of investing in new processes but emphasized the importance of viewing a car’s entire life cycle. For example, with their KINTO mobility service, they can better manage vehicle reuse and recycling.

toyota-media.de (in German)