Closing the loop in the EV supply chain: From battery recycling to pCAM

CNGR EUROPE, the leading global pCAM maker, discusses the challenges of achieving the ‘closed loop’ in the EV supply chain.

CNGR, the number one in precursor cathode active material (pCAM) production, is stepping up its battery recycling capabilities. We asked Deekay KIM, Head of EU Recycling at CNGR, about the reasons and challenges of such a decision and what it means for the electric vehicle industry.

What has motivated CNGR to start a battery recycling business?

As the global number one pCAM maker, the most important thing for CNGR is to secure a stable supply chain of metal sulphate, the base material for pCAM production. Also, we aim to support our customers securing their supply chains and meeting each region’s changing regulatory requirements. Therefore, we decided to take our recycling business global to utilise both refining and recycling facilities to source raw materials.

There are clear advantages to providing a complete ‘closed loop’ supply chain solution, starting from our recycling business, sulphate refining, and finally battery grade customised pCAM solutions. The ‘synergies of connected processes’ inside a complete closed loop reduce the overall CO₂ footprint, shorten lead times, and reintroduce materials at a lower cost to our customers. That is why CNGR strategically locates our recycling facilities and pCAM plants at the same location.

As a partner in global initiatives to reduce CO₂ footprints, CNGR recognises our responsibility to expand our recycling business further. As a global citizen in the EV Battery Ecosystem, a ‘local for local’ approach is needed to meet our customer needs and provide green solutions. We highly appreciate the need to create a sustainable supply chain, and we are leading the industry in green industrialisation. For example, our next-generation factory, beginning production at the end of 2021 in Qinzhou, China, is one of the planet’s first CO₂-neutral advanced material manufacturing locations.

What competitive advantages will CNGR recycling offer?

CNGR can guarantee a high metal recovery rate. When advanced recovery technology is adopted, the recovery rate of nickel and cobalt metal is expected to gradually reach over 98%. Such a rate contributes greatly to sustainability and better profitability.

CNGR provides green industrial design. Our production line is designed with inert discharged crushing, electrolyte recycling, tail gas treatment, and other devices to reduce hazardous waste output, employing best practices to ensure ESG protocols are followed for safe and careful processing.

CNGR’s optimised processes achieve a high level of automation in our recycling process. Through a visual recognition system, we get a precise position of parts and pack designed locations to optimise disassembly. We combine a high degree of diversification and standardisation at different stages. This enables us to handle all mainstream models of battery packs and modules in the market. CNGR’s generation technology also has the unique capability of extracting lithium, separating CNGR from the prior generation’s recyclers. Using this technology, CNGR has experience in pushing various projects forward in China.

Finally, CNGR can give our customers a competitive advantage with our early operational timing of plants. CNGR has signed a partnership agreement with Al Mada for the creation of a Morocco-based Joint Venture aiming at producing battery components for electric vehicles and recycling batteries. This is ahead of any other competitor. Morocco can provide geographical advantages since it

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
   • Indicator 9.4.1: CO₂ emissions per unit of value added.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
   • Indicator 12.5.1: National recycling rate, tons of material recycled.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
   • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula.

5. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
   • Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

• Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
• Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
• Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
• Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
• Indicator 9.4.1: CO₂ emissions per unit of value added.
• Indicator 12.5.1: National recycling

  Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

  Source: innovationnewsnetwork.com

   

  

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