ScrapCO2met

The ScrapCO2met project supports the development of an innovative closed-loop recycling solution for Li-ion NMC battery production scrap.

The ScrapCO2met project supports the development of an innovative closed-loop recycling solution for Li-ion NMC battery production scrap.

FUNDERS

Project financed by the France 2030 program as part of the RRR Call for Projects (Innovative solutions for improving the recyclability, recycling and reincorporation of materials) steered by ADEME.

Project purpose

The ScrapCO2met project aims to develop an industrial unit dedicated to the closed-loop recycling of Li-ion NMC battery production scraps from the Verkor gigafactory.

The project includes the creation of 2 pre-industrial pilot lines, one for mechanical pre-treatment and the other for hydrometallurgy, to test and validate the various stages of the process.

Recycling is based on 2 key technologies:

1. Recovery of blackmass production with a very high level of purity using innovative MTB mechanical processes.

2. Innovative metal extraction using the properties of CO₂ to selectively extract metals, a process developed by Mecaware.

The ICBMS/LCH and LEPMI laboratories contribute their scientific expertise to support the development of the recycling process, in particular by qualifying recycled materials for the manufacture of CAMs, so that they can be reintegrated into new batteries.

ScrapCO2metScrapCO2met

Project objective

  • Validate a scrap collection and qualification process, ensuring traceability and optimal processing of materials.‍
  • To develop a mechanical process for pre-treating scrap components to optimise their recycling.‍
  • Develop metal extraction process for large-scale optimization of materials recycling.
  • Validate an active material preparation method for manufacturing new battery cells to industrial standards.
  • Integrate these processes into Verkor's cell production line and prepare for its replicability in other Gigafactories
  • Industrialisation of a closed-loop process for recycling battery production waste.
Adeline BENONY-RODIER

Adeline BENONY-RODIER

Project Manager

Results
already achieved

  • Delivery of the Chemistry R&D laboratory for Mecaware at the Vénissieux technical center.
  • Relocation of equipment from the former Axel'One site to the Vénissieux technical center (USIN).
  • Recruiting and building laboratory teams, to support growth and continuous innovation.
  • Structuring and start-up of R&D activities at the new site, with a focus on strategic battery recycling projects.

Project roadmap

January 2023

Project launch.

September 2023

MTB Recycling's first pre-industrial mechanical pre-treatment unit for scrap batteries is commissioned.

January 2024

Definition of a chemical process to start engineering studies for the pre-industrial metal extraction unit.

March 2026

Commissioning of the first pre-industrial hydrometallurgy unit in Béthune.

July 2028

Commissioning of the integrated industrial unit at Dunkirk

July 2028

Commissioning of the integrated industrial unit at Dunkirk

Project video

Consortium members

No items found.

Our partners

ICBMS / LCH

A laboratory attached to the University of Lyon 1, the ICBMS/LCH is at the origin of Mecaware's technology, with the work of Professor Julien Leclaire, co-founder of Mecaware. It is continuing its fundamental work to develop ever more virtuous chemistry.

Role in the project: ICBMS/LCH is in charge of developing the "innovative hydrometallurgy" brick, dedicated to recycling Verkor's battery production scrap.

http://www.icbms.fr
ICBMS / LCH SCRAPCO2MET
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LePMI

LEPMI is a research laboratory in electrochemistry and physical chemistry of materials, contributing to innovation in the field of energy storage. It is attached to the Grenoble Polytechnic Institute.

Role in project: In charge of studying the valorisation of recycled metal salts through the production of CAM (active material for batteries) and batteries.

https://lepmi.grenoble-inp.fr/
LePMI
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Mecaware

Mecaware is an industrial start-up specialising in the production of recycled strategic metals from Gigafactory scrap and end-of-life batteries.

Role within the project: Co-development with ICBMS/LCH of the production of recycled metal salts, and industrialization of Verkor's NMC battery waste metal extraction process.

Mecaware SCRAPCO2MET
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MTB

MTB Recycling is a company specialising in the recycling and recovery of metal waste, in particular cables, waste electrical and electronic equipment and batteries. It develops innovative solutions for the treatment and separation of metals with a focus on the circular economy.

Project role : production of blackmass and mechanical pre-treatment of Verkor's battery production scrap.

https://www.mtb-recycling.fr/
MTB SCRAPCO2MET
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Verkor

Verkor is an NMC battery gigafactory located in Bourbourg, near Dunkirk. Verkor's ambition is to become a key player in tomorrow's mobility by increasing production of low-carbon batteries to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles.

Role in the project : Verkor is in charge of validating a process for collecting and qualifying scraps (waste from battery production) and supplying scraps to the recycling line.

https://verkor.com/
Verkor
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