Ecobatt is leading the charge towards safer recycling, investing in advanced battery discharge technology.
As Australia continues its transition towards a greener future, the demand for effective and sustainable recycling solutions for micro-mobility and electric vehicle (EV) batteries and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) has become more urgent.
Lithium batteries are at the heart of the renewable energy revolution, powering everything from clean transportation to critical energy storage systems. However, their unique composition, complex structure, and potential stored energy present challenges when they reach the end of their life cycle or need to be recycled.
Proper treatment is essential to address safety concerns, storage, recovery of secondary materials, and prevent environmental harm.
Lithium-ion batteries are safe and designed to store substantial amounts of energy, making them effective power sources. However, these same batteries can become a hazard if not properly managed when they reach their end of useful life.
Even partially charged batteries can release substantial amounts of energy under certain electrical and physical conditions that will heat the battery to ignite (known as a thermal runaway event). This is particularly the case if the battery is physically damaged, crushed or exposed to certain environmental stress during transport or processing.
The safety hazards of lithium-ion batteries, if not operated or handled to strict safety guidelines, include excess heat generation (exothermic reaction), toxic gas release, hazardous electrolytes, accidental ignition, intense fires or an uncontrolled energy release.
Ecobatt, a subsidiary of the Ecocycle Group, has emerged as a leader in tackling these recycling challenges through strategic investments in the latest battery recycling technology and a commitment to sustainable practices.
Nick Dodd, Ecobatt General Manager, says that by integrating innovative solutions and adopting a forward-thinking approach, the company is setting new standards for efficiency, safety, and environmental stewardship in micro-mobility, EV and BESS battery recycling.
The company’s work not only supports Australia’s clean energy ambitions but ensures that the growing volume of end-of-life batteries is managed responsibly and effectively for the recovery of critical minerals.
A lithium game-changer
Nick says Ecobatt’s investment in the latest discharge technology represents a significant advancement in Australia’s lithium battery recycling capabilities. It will also position the company as the first in Australia capable of safely and commercially dry discharging lithium batteries at scale and returning their residual energy to the energy grid.
The new system is expected to go live in the first quarter of 2025 at Ecobatt’s Campbellfield facility in Victoria. With 32 operator defined stations to treat cells, assemblies and full EV or BESS packs to 1000V simultaneously, the system will allow for the absolute discharge of medium and large-format batteries.
Dry discharging is a vital step in best practice lithium battery recycling. Ecobatt’s discharge system ensures that all stored energy is safely returned to the power grid, enabling batteries to be processed continuously without risk to operators, the community or the environment. By deep discharging batteries, the process makes them safe for subsequent handling, storage, and recycling without the need for the dismantling of diminished battery assemblies, which occurs in most cases.
Closing the loop
Nick says what sets Ecobatt’s battery energy discharge system apart is its energy recovery feature and reporting capability for environmental and social governance (ESG).
Instead of dissipating energy as heat, the new system allows for residual energy from batteries to be reused within the Ecocycle facility or channelled to the power grid, depending on demand.
“By recovering and reusing energy, Ecobatt ensures that its recycling processes not only minimise waste but also actively contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of its recycling activities,” Nick says.
“In addition to energy recovery from battery discharging, Ecobatt has long embraced renewable energy solutions. Solar panels installed at all its facilities nationally provide a reliable and renewable power source, which has been a cornerstone of its operations for years.
“Ecobatt is committed to environmental stewardship, demonstrating how innovative engineering leadership can drive the recycling industry forward.”
Safe and efficient
Nick says the dry discharge process offers a safer, effective and no-waste generation alternative to traditional methods of battery recycling, such as wet discharge solutions for medium and large-scale cells.
The process mitigates environmental contamination risks and ensures the integrity of recovered materials.
The new system incorporates hot-swap capability, hybrid configuration for full flexibility of each station, and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to optimise the discharging process with advanced monitoring systems maintaining safe operations.
This ensures that the discharging process is carried out safely and efficiently.
“The ability to process multiple batteries in any configuration simultaneously and recover their residual energy safely will significantly increase throughput, ensuring that Ecobatt is prepared for the volume of end-of-life batteries expected,” Nick says.
“This capacity underscores Ecobatt’s position as the leading provider of small, medium, and large-format lithium battery recycling solutions nationally.”
Circular outcomes
Ecobatt’s efforts to recover critical materials from spent batteries contribute directly to Australia’s circular economy. The minerals reclaimed during the recycling process reduce the demand for virgin mining, conserving natural resources and lowering the environmental impact of battery production.
By ensuring that every component of a spent battery is either recycled, reused or repurposed, Ecobatt is helping to close the loop on battery life cycles with the recovery of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
Nick says that while Ecobatt is leading the charge, the success of Australia’s battery recycling efforts requires collaboration across the supply chain.
“From manufacturers to end-users, schools to universities, governments and councils, every stakeholder has a role to play in ensuring that batteries are disposed of and recycled correctly,” he says. “By investing in advanced technologies and sustainable practices, Ecobatt is setting a benchmark for the industry in residual energy recovery from medium and large format waste batteries.”
A sustainable future
In a world increasingly powered by batteries, Nick says Ecobatt is ensuring that the end-of-life management of these power sources is conducted in a way that protects the environment while maximising resource recovery.
“With its new discharge technology, commitment to renewable energy, and focus on safety, Ecobatt is redefining battery recycling in Australia,” he says.
“The company’s holistic approach integrates environmental responsibility with technological innovation, ensuring that the nation’s growing micromobility, BESS and EV waste batteries are managed efficiently and sustainably.
“The future of battery recycling is here, and Ecobatt is leading the way.”
For more information, visit: www.ecobatt.net
