Industrial solutions for battery recycling – biotechnology and chemistry

Our research includes the determination and efficient separation of the different compositions of the main units (anode and cathode phases) from the used batteries.

Determination of the composition of separated components using large-scale analytical techniques (e.g. XRF, ICP-OES) in preparation for further processing and targeted metal leaching.

Separation is designed to prepare each type of material stream for further leaching steps, ensuring cleaner and more targeted chemical processing.

Our institute is working with microbiological strains that promote the mobilisation of lithium and other metal ions
from materials derived from used batteries.

We carry out leaching experiments with inorganic acids and organic acids produced by microorganisms (e.g. oxalic acid, citric acid) in laboratory and semi-commercial environments.

Development of biological metal recovery processes:
– Development of environmentally friendly technologies for metal ion extraction from secondary raw materials using selected microorganisms.

– Adaptation of bacterial strains to different metal-containing waste streams, to pre-assess the efficiency of metal mobilisation and to establish biological conditions.

We are developing processes that allow the recovery of metal ions from industrial waters, such as manufacturing process waters or battery-combustion brines.

Electrochemical and adsorption techniques are used for the selective separation of metal ions using proprietary adsorbents and electrolysis.

We use technologies operating under aerobic and anaerobic conditions to degrade battery solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) up to concentrations of 30 g/l. We are also developing continuous-flow, ex-situ bioreactor systems. We also perform carbonate decomposition using bacterial strains. Our developments in this field have been recognised by an Innovation Award in 2024.

– Material balance and economic analyses
Material balance calculations for ongoing systems, with analysis of payback and recovery potential.

– Technology documentation and system optimisation
Preparation of technical documentation for operating systems, technological proposals, CAD design, 2D technical drawings.

– Professional advice for industrial partners
Ensure continuous consultation throughout the development process, from the initial conceptualisation. Proposals, feasibility studies up to industrial scale.