Panasonic Energy has partnered with Sumitomo Metal Mining, a Japanese raw materials company, to initiate the recycling of nickel from lithium-ion battery cathode materials. This collaboration aims to repurpose the recycled nickel for use in new battery production, establishing a closed-loop system within Panasonic’s operations.
Under the agreement, Sumitomo Metal Mining will process nickel recovered from battery waste generated at Panasonic Energy’s facility in Osaka, Japan. The recycled nickel will serve as cathode material for the production of new batteries at the same location. Panasonic Energy has described this as the first closed-loop recycling initiative for the production of automotive batteries by the company.
Furthermore, Panasonic Energy plans to expand the recycling initiative to include additional raw materials such as lithium and cobalt beyond 2026. The company has set a target to incorporate 20% recycled cathode material into its automotive batteries by 2030.
The recycling operations will be conducted at Sumitomo Metal Mining’s Toyo Smelter & Refinery and the Niihama Nickel Refinery in Ehime Prefecture. In 2021, Sumitomo invested approximately 47 billion yen (around 358 million euros) to enhance its cathode production capabilities at these facilities.
“Building a sustainable recycling scheme for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries is crucial for the future expansion of EVs,” says Kazuo Tadanobu, CEO of Panasonic Energy. “We are advancing initiatives in both Japan and the U.S., and through the partnership with Sumitomo Metal Mining, with its deep expertise in non-ferrous metal recycling, we are accelerating our efforts toward realizing a circular economy. This collaboration supports our mission of fostering a sustainable society.”
In 2022, Panasonic entered a similar partnership with Redwood Materials in the United States. Unlike the current collaboration in Japan, the previous deal did not exclusively use recycled materials from Panasonic’s batteries, making the new initiative the first true closed-loop recycling effort for Panasonic.
This strategic move underscores Panasonic Energy’s commitment to sustainability and the development of a circular economy within the electric vehicle and battery industries.
Source: Electrive
