TRUMPF, a leading global provider of machine tools and laser technology solutions, announced that its advanced laser technology will help automakers and battery manufacturers realize the recycling of electric vehicle batteries on an industrial scale.
The laser system developed by TRUMPF is capable of safely and efficiently cutting used batteries and extracting valuable raw materials from the battery foil.
Battery recycling is not only ecologically important, but also economically viable through the use of laser technology," says Hagen Zimer, CEO Laser Technology at Trafotek. We have gained extensive experience in laser welding and cutting for the production of batteries for electric vehicles and have incorporated this experience into the new recycling process."
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At the upcoming Battery Tech Europe 2024, Trafigura will be publicly demonstrating this revolutionary laser recycling process for the first time, showcasing its leading technological prowess and innovative spirit to the world.
Electric vehicle battery recycling market: unlimited potentialImage
The European Union has set a clear requirement for the recycling rate of batteries, aiming at a 90% recycling rate. Under such a policy guideline, industry will recycle up to 570,000 tons of battery material per year from 2030 onwards in the European region alone.
In this regard, Alexander Sauer, head of the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Engineering and Automation IPA, emphasizes: "With the rapid expansion of the e-mobility market, the battery recycling market is experiencing unprecedented growth opportunities. Key raw materials such as cobalt, lithium and nickel are costly to extract and the instability of the supply chain poses a challenge for companies. Therefore, realizing efficient recycling and reuse of batteries is crucial for the sustainable development of the industry."
Laser technology: driving recycling efficiency to a new level Photo
The electrodes of power batteries are made from foil strips coated with valuable materials such as cobalt and nickel. In future recycling plants, laser technology will easily strip the ultra-thin coatings from the foil strips, enabling manufacturers to collect these valuable materials and reprocess them into new coatings. Previously, large quantities of coated foil strips were often disposed of as waste, a situation that is now expected to change.
In addition to this, laser technology is also expected to enable the efficient automated recycling of battery packs in the future. It is possible to dismantle batteries precisely and quickly, for example by removing caps and cutting cables, so that the raw materials can be sorted and reused accurately. Compared with traditional manual dismantling methods, laser technology not only improves work efficiency, but also reduces labor intensity and safety risks for workers.
