URT Recycling Technology Revolutionizes Lithium Battery Recycling with Innovative Plants

Germany's URT Umwelt- und Recyclingtechnik (URT Recycling Technology) is making significant strides in the lithium-ion battery recycling industry. With over a decade of expertise in building lithium-ion battery processing plants, URT has become a key player in the e-mobility sector. The company's state-of-the-art recycling plants serve clients worldwide, contributing to high-quality scrap recovery, crucial for the production of new batteries.

URT Umwelt- und Recyclingtechnik, led by Florian and Peter Hessler and Bernhard Biener, has been a major player in the recycling market for 30 years. In the last decade, the company has successfully ventured into recycling lithium-ion batteries. The journey began with the LithoRec-2 project in 2011, where URT collaborated with partners like Volkswagen and TU Braunschweig to develop recycling processes for lithium-ion batteries.

The knowledge gained from the LithoRec-2 project formed the foundation for URT's current expertise in lithium-ion battery recycling. Through thermomechanical treatment, URT achieves an impressive recovery rate of more than 98% of dry black mass in their plants. This treatment allows for the preservation of lithium, making it an efficient and environmentally friendly process.

URT's turnkey recycling plants, operational since 2021, are tailored to meet the specific requirements of each customer, including throughput, operational safety, and plant automation. The company utilizes prior knowledge from constructing refrigerator recycling plants to ensure safety and efficiency in handling the shredding and evaporation processes.

Starting with inert shredding, discharged batteries or battery parts are processed in nitrogen-flooded shredders, preserving lithium and minimizing solvent release. The shredded material then undergoes vacuum distillation drying, where solvents from the electrolytes are collected. After cooling, the output material is screened to recover a large portion of the black mass with low impurities.

Florian Hessler emphasizes the importance of the shredding process in obtaining a pure black mass without contaminants like aluminum or organic materials. The efficient recycling process ensures a sustainable approach to lithium-ion battery disposal, contributing to the circular economy and promoting a greener future.

URT Recycling Technology has emerged as a leading force in lithium-ion battery recycling, revolutionizing the industry with their advanced processing plants. Through thermomechanical treatment, the company achieves an impressive recovery rate, providing valuable materials for the production of new batteries. URT's dedication to environmental sustainability and innovative recycling practices positions them as a key player in the transition to a more sustainable energy future.