Scaling Direct Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries toward Industrialization: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are indispensable for modern technology, yet their limited lifespan contributes substantially to electronic waste. Effective recycling methods are crucial to mitigating material scarcity, enhancing sustainability, and fostering a circular economy. This perspective examines the current LIB recycling processes, with a focus on the emerging potential and challenges of direct recycling methods. Unlike traditional pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy, which often destroy valuable materials, direct recycling seeks to recover and restore functional components, preserving the integrity of active materials. However, this method faces significant technical hurdles, particularly due to the complex design of LIBs and the degradation of key components over time. This perspective explores the intricacies of battery structure and component degradation, examines the challenges of scaling up direct recycling for industry applications, and proposes future directions to improve the efficiency and viability of this sustainable recycling approach.