BRIN Develops New Eco-Friendly Lithium Battery Recycling Method

The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN) is making strides with a new research endeavor aimed at revolutionizing lithium battery recycling. This innovative approach promises enhanced efficiency, higher lithium recovery rates, and a significant reduction in environmental impact, according to Erik Prasetyo, a researcher from BRIN's Mining Technology Research Center.

Prasetyo shared that the technique focuses on selective extraction for lithium separation from other metals, employing eco-friendly solvents like water and leveraging solid phase extraction methods to bolster lithium concentration. This advancement marks a significant leap in battery recycling technologies, addressing the critical issues of low lithium recovery rates and the environmental toll of current recycling processes, which involve substantial water and chemical use and generate hazardous waste.

The method, currently under development, represents a potentially game-changing solution to the challenges of lithium battery recycling. It could significantly improve process sustainability and efficiency, aligning with the increasing demand for lithium amid concerns over its limited availability, environmental impact, and the role of recycling in bolstering energy security.

Prasetyo underscored the minimal role recycling currently plays in global lithium production and outlined three key benefits of lithium recycling: conservation of scarce natural resources, reduction of environmental harm from hazardous materials in lithium batteries, and enhancement of energy security by augmenting the lithium supply for battery production. This research could pave the way for a more sustainable and secure future in lithium battery technology.