More than 90% of the key components included in lithium iron phosphate batteries may be recovered using a new, low-cost, and low-impact extraction technology that will be transmitted to European industry. This is the objective of the European acrobat project, in which ENEA for Italy, Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology and the battery recycling business ACCUREC Recycling GmbH for Germany, Catholic University of Leuven and VITO (coordinator) for Belgium all take part. "The overall objective of the project is to create a novel recycling technique that will enable the extraction of lithium, phosphorous, and graphite from batteries. ENEA will specialize in the extraction and recovery of electrolytic materials such as conductive salts and organic solvents ", reveals ENEA researcher Federica Forte, project manager. Lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4, commonly known as LFP) batteries are a form of lithium-ion battery that is increasing market share (about 36%) due to its excellent stability and safety, extended life, and cheaper cost than other varieties since they lack cobalt and nickel. Because lithium-ion batteries are essential to the ecological transition and decarbonization of the global economy, their usage is likely to rise, especially in stationary storage systems, electric mobility, and certain home consumer electronics applications now in the testing phase.
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