Audi has announced that it has worked with Belgium-based multinational materials company Umicore to allow more than 90 per cent of the cobalt and nickel found in the high-voltage batteries of its e-tron SUV model to be recycled in the future.
Closed-loop pilot project
The announcement by Umicore, which specialises in sustainable recovery of metals, and Audi, which wants to expand its e-tron EV offering in the coming months and years, means that the valuable resources found in the batteries of its electric cars can be reused. Indeed, the next phase of the tie-up between Audi and Umicore is to develop a 'closed loop' for the cobalt and nickel recovered, to allow these materials to be recycled in the production of new battery cells for EVs.
For the closed-loop pilot project, Umicore will therefore continue to receive cell modules from the Audi e-tron, which will initially be taken from development vehicles. From those cells, the cobalt and nickel recovered will be processed into precursor and cathode materials. That will allow for the production of new battery cells, satisfying Audi's desire to ensure that its EVs are as fully recyclable and sustainable as they can be.
'Big leap technologically'
Dr Bernd Martens, member of the board of management for Procurement and IT at Audi, said: "A closed loop for battery raw materials is a big leap technologically. We save precious resources and reduce CO2 emissions. In this way, we come significantly closer to our goal of a sustainable supply chain and reach a milestone on the road to achieving an overall carbon-neutral balance by 2050. It is our aim to think sustainability holistically. This includes dealing with the remaining 'end of life' as well as resource-saving development of our products."
Marc Grynberg, CEO of Umicore, added: "Umicore is committed to enabling the transition to electrified mobility. Innovative technologies, responsible sourcing and closing the materials loop will lead the drive towards clean mobility. This project with Audi is at the forefront of the development of a sustainable value chain for electrified transport."