The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) announced the establishment of a research and development centre for the recycling of critical materials such as cobalt and lithium from electric vehicle batteries for example. The aim is to reduce dependence on foreign resources.

The specific goal of the centre, which is managed by the Argonne National Laboratory together with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is to increase the collection and recycling rate of lithium-based batteries from electric vehicles, consumer electronics and other applications from currently only 5 to 90 per cent.

In this context, the ministry has launched a competition for innovative recycling models, including a prize worth 5.5 million dollars. Universities, private initiatives and national laboratories are invited to submit their proposals. Overall, investments of 15 billion dollars have been budgeted for this.

The project is in line with a strategy presented by the Trump administration last year to increase domestic production of 35 critical minerals, including lithium, uranium and cobalt. Energy secretary Rick Perry underscored the intention of the initiative as follows, lest anybody get confused and assumes that the Trump administration would focus on environmental protection: “America’s dependence on foreign sources of critical materials undermines our energy security and national security.” Perry continues by listing the priorities which will be addressed: “DOE will leverage the power of competition and the resources of the private sector, universities, and the National Laboratories to develop innovative recycling technologies, which will bolster economic growth, strengthen our energy security, and improve the environment.”

Courtesy : electrive.com