Lithium-ion batteries are crucial for sustainable mobility and energy supply, but the growing demand for these batteries and their raw materials presents significant challenges. The REWIND project, part of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research’s BattFutur program, aims to address these challenges by enhancing the recyclability of batteries to boost resource efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. A key initiative within this project is the establishment of a junior research group at the Fraunhofer R&D Center for Electromobility to attract young scientists and mitigate the shortage of skilled workers. This effort supports the creation of a “Competence Center for Direct Recycling,” fostering innovation in battery recycling technologies.
REWIND is pioneering advanced direct recycling through a circular design approach, aiming to develop lithium-ion batteries that are highly recyclable with recoverable components. Unlike traditional methods that involve mechanical shredding and hydrometallurgical processes—leading to the loss of functional materials—REWIND’s approach preserves the structure of components for direct reuse in new cell production. The project also tackles technological hurdles such as the separation of anodes and cathodes by using marker particles for easy identification of battery ingredients. A major goal is to design batteries with recyclable electrodes and components, enabling efficient regeneration and reuse through automated, water-based processes. The focus on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) materials is complemented by exploring applications in sodium-ion batteries, which, despite lower material costs, face challenges like lower energy density.
