Greener approaches to recycle spent electric vehicle (EV) battery in a closed Loop

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Canada's recent target to reach 100% zero-emissions for all new light-duty cars and passenger trucks sales by 2035 poses significant economic challenges and opportunities for Canada's CleanTech sector. In order to reach this target, and other pledges set during the Recent United Nations COP26 Climate Summit, the Canadian Government is taking action in all sectors including the transportation sector. Innovation for green recycling of post-use Electric Vehicle (EV) Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries is urgently needed to achieve this target. The proposed partnership has two primary objectives. Working with new green recycling of EV battery process of our partner, Cnem, we will: (i) develop value added multifunctional composites, foams, and non-woven fiber structures from recycled battery materials, and (ii) recover and reuse electrolytes in spent EV battery process water effluent which are currently not recycled and generate CO2 and toxic gases upon incineration. The global Li-ion battery market size is projected to grow from USD 41.1 billion in 2021 to USD 116.6 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 12.3%. The proposed partnership is a collaboration between University of Toronto, University of Guelph and Cnem teams. The partnership provides an essential framework for the research and development of a sustainable EV battery business, including new technology to build cleaner batteries and a cleaner constructive process to recycle EV batteries. These innovations will also result in significant energy savings, reduction in greenhouse gas and toxic gas emissions, minimized wastewater generation and the substitution of virgin materials in battery production with recycled battery materials. In addition, this project will allow for the training and formation of several highly qualified personnel, which will eventually bring their expertise to the Canadian advanced manufacturing, energy, and environmental engineering community, as well as to academia.