Benefits

The ReLiFe Project aims to establish and demonstrate, initially at pilot scale, a robust metallurgical technology for recycling all sizes of LFP scrap and EoL batteries – i.e. the specific type already produced by Sunlight Group in its facilities worldwide. Following the successful operation of the pilot recycling plant, additional capital investments can ramp-up production. This will eventually pave the way for the commissioning of an industrial scale LFP scrap and EoL batteries recycling plant with an annual capacity of thousands of tonnes, the first of its kind in southeastern Europe and one of a handful worldwide.

Expected benefits from the implementation of the project include the following:

  • Meeting a series of core EU targets regarding Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), sustainability, energy transition, and circular economy

  • Recovering three EU-critical raw materials: lithium, iron phosphate, and graphite, as well as base metals like copper and aluminum, thus significantly conserving finite natural resources

    • recovery rate of >95% and lithium carbonate purity level more than 99%

  • Covering EU’s raw material requirements for battery cells manufacturing and supply 1.5% of lithium demand in Europe.

  • Securing Sunlight Group’s supply chain of raw materials for lithium cell manufacturing

  • Supporting Sunlight Group’s efforts to minimize the waste output from the operation of its LFP cell Pilot Line

  • Assisting Sunlight Group to achieve its vision of full vertical integration and closed loop lithium battery concept

  • Creating more than 1,250 direct and indirect jobs in the area where the industrial plant will be established