{"id":315299,"date":"2026-02-28T21:17:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T21:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/315299\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T21:17:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T21:17:10","slug":"from-mine-to-recovery-the-case-for-nickel-recycling-in-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/315299\/","title":{"rendered":"From Mine to Recovery: The Case for Nickel Recycling in Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Support CleanTechnica’s work through a Substack subscription<\/a> or on Stripe<\/a>. <\/p>\n

A new study examines the carbon footprint benefits of recycling the critical metal in Europe.<\/p>\n

Scaling battery recycling in Europe will be key to securing a resilient and clean supply of raw materials needed for clean tech in Europe. With significant volumes of scrap and waste batteries becoming available in the coming years, ensuring we have effective capacity in Europe to recover the much needed materials, including nickel, will be vital. How we recycle batteries will be important, ensuring we drive effective, low-carbon processes.<\/p>\n

What is the environmental footprint of recycling nickel compared to mining and processing, and how can we scale recycling technologies in Europe? T&E addresses these questions in this briefing, building on\u00a0research<\/a>\u00a0which showed the potential for battery recycling in Europe.<\/p>\n

Overall, the analysis finds that recovering nickel from batteries generally has a lower carbon footprint than mining and refining nickel. For a typical VW ID4 (77 kWh) with an NMC battery, using European recycled nickel can achieve savings of 1200kg CO2e compared to most common primary nickel.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Nevertheless, the recycling route, and other factors such as plant location, can have a huge impact on the overall carbon emissions of the final nickel sulfate produced:<\/p>\n

Hydrometallurgical routes in Europe can reduce the carbon intensity of nickel sulfate by 70% when compared to the dominant primary production routes.
\nEmissions stemming from electricity constitute around 15-20% of emissions for hydrometallurgy routes.Therefore, the location of the battery recycler employing this technology can also result in significant reductions in total emissions.
\nCompared to China, hydrometallurgical recycling in Europe is estimated to be 21% lower in emissions.<\/p>\n

Thanks to Europe\u2019s comparatively cleaner grid, Europe can lead the way in low carbon hydrometallurgical recycling. Given the potential in Europe, and the expected feedstock of waste batteries containing nickel to become available, now is the time to ensure Europe has the needed recycling capacity. Nevertheless, the existing recycling capacity across Europe is 10 times below where it needs to be in 2030, with almost half of Europe\u2019s battery recycling plans at risk.<\/p>\n

In order to scale effective and low-emission recycling in Europe, and develop a truly European Single Recycling market, T&E recommends:<\/p>\n

Mainstream and prioritise circularity across policy areas and funding streams:\u00a0Recycling should be considered as any other clean tech.
\nBan or significantly limit waste material shipment outside the EU:\u00a0to ensure sufficient feedstock for EU recyclers, including nickel, the CEA must prevent material leakage from end-of-life batteries, black mass and related waste products.
\nSimplify intra-EU waste shipment rules\u00a0to cut costs and administrative burden by further simplifying the Waste Shipment Regulation.
\nImplement circularity targets in the EU Batteries Regulation\u00a0and ensure they benefit EU recyclers, with an amendment to introduce a local preference.<\/p>\n

To find out more, download the study<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Article from T&E<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sign up for CleanTechnica’s Weekly Substack for Zach and Scott’s in-depth analyses and high level summaries<\/a>, sign up for our daily newsletter<\/a>, and follow us on Google News<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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