Van Dyk partners with Reckelberg Environmental Technologies

Van Dyk Recycling Solutions, Norwalk, Connecticut, will sell equipment from German company Reckelberg Environmental Technologies (RET) to recycle lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) of all kinds and scrap from battery production.

Van Dyk says RET has developed a process to safely recover the valuable materials in batteries with the highest yield and purities. RET has core components for all the major process steps, from electrical discharging to vacuum drying and mechanical separation.

What makes the system unique is the key component for mechanical treatment of the LIBs, what RET calls the Impact Reactor, according to Van Dyk. It allows direct recovery of black mass at one central point after the vacuum drying. The system includes extensive exhaust-gas treatment and filter-systems guarantees to address health, safety and emission requirements.

To create turnkey solutions, Van Dyk says it will turn to its other trusted equipment suppliers for conveyors, air separation tables, zig-zag sifters, screens and magnets.

“RET is at the forefront of battery recycling in Europe,” says Brian Schellati, director of business development for Van Dyk Recycling Solutions. “As electric vehicles become more popular in North America, we will need effective solutions for recycling their batteries. The materials we can separate in these large car batteries has very high value, meaning potentially great ROI [return on investment] for these operations.

“Van Dyk will be well-positioned to provide sortation strategies to this market as RET has the highest recovery of the valuable black mass that we have seen,” Schellati adds.

With increased production of devices and cars that use rechargeable LIBs, RET expects the recycling of used batteries, especially from electric vehicles (EVs), to increase over the next five to 10 years.

“RET’s mission is to further develop and supply market-leading technologies and solutions for battery recycling to enable its customers to tackle one of the biggest problems of the upcoming years in regards to recycling,” says Claas Reckelberg, CEO of RET.

Nico Klemencic, RET chief financial officer, adds, “With our innovative components and solutions our customers will be able to create the cornerstone of a circular economy for the valuable raw materials from batteries. Together we will close the loop!”