Tozero ships first commercial delivery of recycled lithium from batteries

Tozero, a Munich, Germany-based lithium-ion battery (LIB) recycler, recently announced the first commercial delivery of recycled lithium derived from battery scrap using its proprietary hydrometallurgical process.

The company’s hydrometallurgical process maximizes the recovery of materials such as lithium and graphite, it says, reintroducing them to the supply chain while reducing the need for new material extraction and processing. It says its process reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 70 percent compared to conventional lithium mining and processing techniques. The technology aligns with European Green Deal objectives, achieving the EU’s Battery Directive goals of over 80 percent recovery rate by 2031.

Tozero’s Munich pilot plant was launched in July 2023 and its operations culminated in the delivery of recycled lithium to European customers in March. “Our lithium is not just recycled; it’s truly beautiful,” says Tozero team member Sachin Samarakone. “It’s a testament to the purity and effectiveness of our recycling process, making it a highly sought-after critical material for diverse industries in Europe.”

“Our mission is to truly bring lithium-ion battery waste to zero and each ton of recycled lithium represents a significant step towards reducing our ecological footprint and achieving a net-zero future," Tozero co-founder and CEO Sarah Fleischer says.

Calling lithium “white gold,” Tozero notes it is a vital raw material for producing LIBs and finds applications in underserved markets such as ceramics, construction, lubricants, specialty glasses and more, impacting various industries and everyday life. With the surge in electrification within the automotive sector, the demand for lithium has intensified, the company says, primarily driven by manufacturing. Since 2010, lithium consumption for battery applications has jumped from 20 percent to over 70 percent of the overall demand.

According to a forecast by UBS, the global lithium supply deficit will appear as early as 2026 and grow to 3 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent by 2030. It adds that Europe faces greater challenges in lithium supply due to the concentration of mining and processing activities in countries like China, Chile and Australia. “Ninety-seven percent of the lithium we use in the European Union is from China, so we are totally dependent on this one on China,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a recent speech at the Clean Tech Industry Dialogue in Brussels.

“The enthusiastic reception from our customers underscores the market’s readiness for sustainable and urban mined secondary materials made in Europe,” Tozero co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Ksenija Milicevic Neumann says.

Tozero says its approach not only addresses supply chain concerns but offers a sustainable alternative to virgin lithium sourcing. With commercial deliveries underway, Tozero says it anticipates producing hundreds of tons of recycled lithium by 2026.