The Italian government may intervene and accelerate permitting for the battery recycling hub proposed by Glencore and battery recycler Li-Cycle, but it needs to see a business plan first, according to media reports.
This follows comments that commodities trading company Glencore may look elsewhere after the Sardinian authorities on Friday rejected a fast-track approval process for the project.
“The regional government’s decision to submit the demonstration project to a full environmental impact assessment is very disappointing,” Glencore said in an emailed statement, according to Reuters.
“Glencore may consider alternative options for a European battery materials processing hub if the unnecessary extension of the approval process results in a delayed timeline that makes the project economically unviable,” it said.
The recycling hub would process and recycle lithium-ion battery scrap and refine new raw materials, mainly lithium carbonate, nickel and cobalt. The partners said in May they planned to form a 50/50 joint venture to expand the existing Glencore Portovesme facility.
Photo: Glencore’s facility in Portovesme.
