Recyclers prepare for the battery chemistry reshuffle

Recyclers are wondering which battery chemistry will be the preferred type in the long run. While lithium-ion batteries are still the dominant power source, companies are actively exploring alternatives like lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and hydrogen fuel cells.  

The global hydrogen fuel cell vehicle market could be worth US$ 164.5 billion (EUR 142.1 billion) by 2034, significantly up on its value last year of just US$ 2.3 billion. New data from analysts Towards Automotive suggests compound annual growth of almost 53% during the forecast period.

Asian leadership

By region, Asia Pacific dominated the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle market in 2024. This is due to the rising awareness of the sustainability agenda and government initiatives to promote electric vehicles (EVs).

In Japan, Honda, Tokuyama and Mitsubishi are constructing a hydrogen-powered data centre and stationary fuel cell power plant designed to reuse hydrogen fuel cells from fuel cell EVs.

Proven innovation

Meanwhile, Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle market due to the presence of multiple automotive companies stepping into the sustainability movement.

In the UK, Johnson Matthey has completed a successful laboratory demonstration of HyRefine, its technology for recycling hydrogen fuel cells and electrolytic materials. The company claims this is possibly the first demonstration of platinum group metal recycling and membrane ionomer reuse.

Ready for the future

German firm Hensel Recycling is also working on improving its fuel cell recovery efforts. ‘This is not an easy job,’ the company’s business development manager Anna Marchisio explains. The precious metals recycling specialist currently treats around 12 000 tonnes of material every year and believes ‘the future belongs to hydrogen technology’.

Marchisio attended the recent Pollutec trade show in Lyon, having flown in from a fuel cell recycling conference in Cologne. ‘I was a speaker there but also am still learning a lot myself. It is a tough and challenging stream that is still in a very early phase so the volume is very low.

‘The same can be said about automotive spark plugs, which we are also targeting. The way we view it: you either want to be an innovator and frontrunner or you do not. We do. The market will catch up one day.’