Page 15 from: Recycling International May/June issue 2023
TRENDS & UPDATES
15recyclinginternational.com | May/June | 2023
SCIENTISTS CLAIM 100% SILVER RECOVERY FROM
SOLAR CELLS
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden
have developed a process which opens the door to more effi-
cient recovery of precious metals from thin-film solar cells.
The method is also claimed to be more environmentally friendly
than previous methods of recycling and paves the way for ‘more
flexible and highly efficient solar cells’.
There are two mainstream types of solar cells. The most common is
silicon-based and accounts for 90% of the market. The other is thin-
film solar cells which have three main sub-technologies, one of
which is known as CIGS (copper, indium gallium, selenide) and con-
sists of a layer of different metals, including indium and silver.
The problem is that the demand for indium and silver is high and
increased production is accompanied by a growing amount of
waste which contains a mixture of valuable metals and hazardous
substances. Being able to separate target metals from other sub-
stances becomes extremely valuable, both economically and envi-
ronmentally, as they can be reused in new products.
The process takes place at room temperature without adding heat
and the researchers have shown it is possible to recover 100% of
the silver and about 85% of the indium.
‘It takes one day, which is slightly longer than traditional methods
but, with our method, it becomes more cost-effective and better for
the environment,’ adds Burcak Ebin. ‘Our hopes are that our
research can be used as a reference to optimise the recycling pro-
cess and pave the way for using the method on a larger scale in the
future.’
MKANGO AND COTEC PROPEL RARE EARTHS
RECYCLING FORWARD
Mkango Resources is taking further steps to commercialise down-
stream rare earth technologies in the US. now CoTec Holdings
has completed a £1.5 million (EUR 1.7 million) investment for a
10% stake in its Maginito rare earth recycling subsidiary.
The deal means Mkango Rare Earths UK will become a subsidiary of
Maginito, while CoTec operations chief John Singleton joins the
Maginito board. CoTec will also provide a two-year £2 million loan
for Mkango’s recycling operations.
The partners believe they are now ‘uniquely positioned’ to recycle
rare earth neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, which are
increasingly in demand from electric vehicle battery makers. They
are looking to capitalise on Mkango’s patented energy-efficient
hydrogen processing of magnet scrap.
Canada-based Mkango reports that recycling plants will be commis-
sioned in UK and Germany in 2023 and 2024. A new US subsidiary,
to be jointly owned by Maginito and CoTec is planned to advance
rare earth technology opportunities in the US.
NEO-ECO BUILDS BACK WAR-TORN HOUSING
French firm Neo-
Eco plans to build
450 new apart-
ments using
materials recov-
ered from build-
ings destroyed in
the Russian
bombing of
Ukraine towns.
Rubble is being
collected in one of them them, Hostomel, with the first
homes scheduled to be ready by 2024.
Neo-Eco says it can recycle up to 98% of the debris. For exam-
ple, it can turn concrete and bricks into aggregate, wooden
doors into particle board, and plaster into plasterboard.
The company’s recycling initiative is supported by the French
government as well as 12 universities and 23 research partners.
Since 2008, Neo-Eco has developed more than 500 individual
product type based on demolished structures. Some of which
have been awarded ‘gold’ status by the Ellen MacArthur
Foundation.
The company’s recycling scheme has three stages:
• Stage 1: Analysis of existing objects and materials (removing
windows, doors and household items; sorting materials for
repair, reuse or recycling)
• Stage 2: Sorting materials suitable for concrete production
• Stage 3: Use of recovered materials in industry and local con-
struction
Neo-Eco signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kyiv
Regional Military Administration to carry out the pilot scheme
last September. The French government is funding the start-up
phase of the project while the company is looking for additional
investors for the overall EUR 30 million required.
‘INTENSE’ GROWTH AHEAD FOR BATTERY
RECYCLERS
The lithium-ion battery recycling market is projected to
grow from EUR 5.9 billion in 2022 to almost EUR 32 bil-
lion by 2031, a remarkable annual growth rate of over
20%.
‘The lithium-ion battery recycling market is on the way for
intense growth across different sources such as automotive
and industrial, consumer electronics, power, and marine,’ say
analysts at ReportLinker. Europe is seen as being particularly
well positioned to witness strong growth.
By battery type, the lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) segment,
typically used in high-power devices and equipment, is
expected to be the second largest segment of the lithium-
ion battery recycling market.
The phosphate cathode material employed in LFP has a
long-life cycle, high current rating, high thermal stability, and
enhanced safety due to higher tolerance.
‘Increasing use of LFP in high-power applications such as EV
cars and power tools, among others, is expected to lead to
the growth of the LFP segment in the lithium-ion battery
recycling market,’ the analysts add.
Herbold Meckesheim GmbH
Industriestrasse 33 I D-74909 Meckesheim I Tel: +49 6226 932-0 I [email protected] I www.herbold.com
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