cylib and Syensqo have announced a lithium recovery milestone, producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide from end-of-life electric vehicle batteries, which the company has described as a first for the recycling industry. This advance supports Europe’s push toward circularity in battery materials, especially as demand for high-purity lithium surges.
Using a joint hydrometallurgical and solvent extraction approach, the two companies demonstrated recovery of lithium from black mass containing various chemistries, including nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) and lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP), on a single operating line. This streamlined setup reduces CAPEX while boosting processing versatility.
Syensqo processed hundreds of litres of cylib’s lithium-rich effluent using an advanced extraction method, co-developed with Tenova Advanced Technologies, and its proprietary CYANEX® 936P extractant – known for its exceptional lithium selectivity. The final lithium hydroxide product not only meets, but in several parameters exceeds the strict purity standards required by cathode active material (CAM) manufacturers.
“This collaboration with Syensqo demonstrates our commitment to working continuously with partners to develop new processes and expand our technological leadership in battery recycling,” said Matthias Breidenbach, vice president commercial at cylib. “By combining our innovative hydrometallurgical expertise with Syensqo’s advanced solvent extraction technology, we are setting new standards for lithium recovery efficiency and purity.’
The achievement aligns with EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 targets, which mandate lithium recovery rates of 50% by 2027 and 80% by the end of 2031.
