ISRI develops ‘first-of-its-kind’ EV battery recycling training

The Washington-based Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), in partnership with safety experts from around the world, has launched an online training program on how to safely recycle electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

ISRI worked with the Energy Security Agency (ESA) and other fire safety professionals to develop the three-level High Voltage Electric Vehicle Technology Training for Recycling Professionals, which the organization calls a “first-of-it’s-kind” program.

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“Developing this program was important not only for our employees but also for first responders and the communities around us,” ISRI President Robin Wiener says. “EVs are a huge part of our country’s effort to decarbonize the transportation sector, including passenger vehicles. This training is helping us prepare for not only today but tomorrow, as EVs are only projected to increase.”

According to ISRI, the scrap industry processes approximately 17 million automobiles annually, including those powered by large-format EV batteries, which yield high-quality recycled steel, copper and aluminum, and recycling EV batteries presents unique safety requirements.

This new training course is part of ISRI’s larger education effort in helping the scrap industry understand how to safely handle and recycle EV batteries.

The course includes three tiers. Participants must successfully complete the first online course and receive a certificate to be eligible for the second level. The second course is an in-person classroom course and hands-on training offered in collaboration with the Piqua, Ohio-based ESA. It is a technical course that was designed to give participants a better understanding of how to physically handle EV batteries.

The third level will be targeted to management-level professionals responsible for the on-site management of batteries in their respective operations.

“I’m encouraged by ISRI’s willingness to lead the pack in proactively creating training that is progressive and offers tangible solutions to stakeholders,” says Dalen Zartman, CEO of the ESA. “This training content features a partnership between the world’s foremost experts in this space.

“ISRI has helped facilitate the partnership to develop knowledge that has a direct impact on safe handling of EV batteries with deterring thermal events as the goal.”

The ESA includes firefighters, rescue specialists, engineers and destructive battery testing experts who provide battery safety training and support to manufacturers, public/private organizations and end users. Its services include consulting, battery testing, training and responsible recycle at every phase of a hybrid vehicle or EV’s life.   

Currently, the ESA offers in-person courses across the U.S. and parts of Canada on hybrid vehicle and EV operations and awareness.

Instructors for ISRI’s High Voltage Electric Vehicle Technology Training for Recycling Professionals include Zartman, Kenn Kunze of Columbia, Indiana-based IC Fire Prevention and Dirk Fuchs of Denver-based Electric Mobility Consulting.

Kunze is a retired battalion chief with 30 years of experience in the combat division of the Fort Wayne Indiana Fire Department. He is a certified Fire Inspector-I through the National Fire Protection Association and has worked with the recycling industry since 2015 to promote fire prevention management practices.

Zartman has been a firefighter, technical rescue specialist and paramedic for 25 years and oversees ESA’s operations at its lithium-ion battery destructive research lab. According to ESA, he has performed thousands of large-scale battery tests and leads the ESA team in turning those findings into training programs and services.

Fuchs began his career in the automotive industry in 2002 as a technical training specialist and instructor for Volkswagen Germany and has worked for German-based ZF Group and Denver-based I-Car before founding Electric Mobility Consulting where he serves as CEO.

“We are pleased to be partnered with such a great organization [as ESA] that brings knowledge about batteries,” Wiener says.

Registration is open for the course and those interested can sign up here.