The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has highlighted the importance of battery collection and recycling to support a sustainable future amid surging demand for raw materials.
Batteries have emerged as fundamental components in the transition towards a cleaner energy landscape, powering a wide range of applications from electric vehicles to consumer electronics. In light of increasing battery demand, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has released a series of studies aimed at improving the classification, collection, and recycling of waste batteries, emphasising their potential to support a sustainable future within the European Union.
As the demand for raw materials necessary for battery production — including cobalt, lithium, nickel, and copper — is projected to surge significantly, the need for effective recycling processes becomes critical. The JRC anticipates that lithium demand alone may increase by up to 21 times by the year 2050. The environmental and societal costs associated with traditional extraction methods underline the importance of enhancing the lifecycle management of batteries, promoting their reuse, and maximising circularity.
The JRC highlights that proper battery collection is paramount for developing a robust recycling infrastructure. Currently, a significant volume of batteries fails to be properly collected, which limits the available resource pool for recycling efforts. A new methodology proposed by the JRC seeks to address these challenges by updating the approach to collecting waste from lithium-dominated light means of transport (LMT) batteries and batteries found in portable devices. By refining the understanding of waste flows, collection rates can be better calculated, ultimately improving the efficiency of recycling systems.
To foster these advancements, the JRC has also developed a revised “list of waste” that addresses the contemporary realities of battery waste management. By categorising most waste batteries as “hazardous,” the report aims to enhance environmental safety and regulatory compliance during recycling processes.
One of the critical findings from the JRC’s studies is the recognition that the concept of “black mass” — the residual substance left after battery materials are processed — and the definitions surrounding “impurities” require clarification for effective recycling. High-quality recycling can extend beyond simply reprocessing batteries into new units; recycled materials can also be transformed into other valuable products that may themselves eventually enter the recycling stream.
The JRC’s focus on lithium-based batteries, which have thus far lacked comprehensive methodologies in regulatory frameworks, seeks to integrate this rapidly evolving sector into broader battery lifecycle strategies. The overarching aim of these initiatives is to cultivate a more innovative and competitive battery value chain within the EU, which hinges on effective resource management and sustainable practices.
Moreover, the JRC is committed to supporting the implementation of the new Batteries Regulation through ongoing research and the introduction of technical proposals that address various aspects of the battery lifecycle. Areas of focus include performance and durability requirements, safety standards for energy storage systems, and overall life cycle analysis to assess carbon footprints.
As the EU advances towards a sustainable and self-sufficient battery ecosystem, these collaborative efforts spearheaded by the JRC play a vital role in ensuring that businesses can navigate the evolving landscape of battery technologies while safeguarding environmental interests. The JRC’s ongoing studies and recommendations stand to make a significant impact on how batteries are managed from their inception to their end-of-life stages, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to climate neutrality and resource sustainability.
