JX Nippon Mining & Metals to Commercialize Li-ion Battery Recycle in 2012

JX Nippon Mining & Metals announced on Thursday the firm continues demonstration test of rare metal recycle from used lithium ion batteries. The firm will introduce additional facilities to remove impurities from recycled rare metals in Tsuruga plant, Fukui Prefecture, Japan with approximately 700 million yen capex. The firm tries to improve recycled rare metal quality and lower recycling costs toward the business commercialization in October 2012.

JX Nippon Mining & Metals started demonstration test to collect cobalt, nickel, manganese and lithium from used lithium ion batteries, positive electrode materials of used lithium ion batteries, or these scraps generated in the productive processes in April 2010. The demonstration test was commissioned by Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry and ceased at the end of March 2011. JX Nippon Mining & Metals confirmed effectiveness of the recycling process and decided to continue demonstration test by themselves.

The firm established rare metal collecting and refining technologies from positive electrode and other component scrap generated in the productive process of lithium ion batteries. However, more quality improvement is required to reuse recycled rare metals for new batteries. Recycling cost reduction is also needed toward the business commercialization.

JX Nippon Mining & Metals is presently expanding production of positive electrode materials for automotive lithium ion batteries at Isohara plant, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Meanwhile, in HMC plant in Ibaraki, the firm has advanced rare metal recycling business. The firm can establish a resource circulation business model for lithium ion battery by commercializing battery recycle at Tsuruga plant.