RESTORE represents a pioneering research and development initiative, committed to the challenge of designing, developing and deploying a novel holistic and scalable battery recycling process. RESTORE is dedicated to the safe pre-processing of End-of-life (EoL) battery from Electric vehicles (EV) and domestic Lithium-ion Batteries (LIBs), and aims at developing innovative, safe, cost effective and scalable solution for the separation, recovery, purification, upcycling, and validation of materials and metals, to be directly transformed into new battery precursor and functional materials. The proposed solution will shorten the recycling process, while unlocking the recovery of highly valuable materials, currently lost in conventional recycling process, such as the electrolyte, including both the electrolyte salt and solvents, organic binder, graphite and Cathode Active Material (CAM). The project is driven by key industries in Europe, supported by renown research centres, to ensure battery recycling industry will be able to reach the battery directive, and 2030 Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) targets. The concept is based on three building blocks: i) Improving upstream processes for the sorting of batteries and the liberation of non-battery materials from EV battery packs and prohibit them from entering in the downstream process, while maximizing their valorisation, ii) Improving pre-processing of battery materials to effectively separate active and non-active battery materials, ensuring high-purity outputs. iii) Improving the downstream process to efficiently separate all battery materials and refine them to battery-grade standards, to be directly reinjected into the battery production value chain. Finally, with the support of LCA and LCCA through SSbD assessment, the most promising routes based on recycled materials will be validated on coin cells. The project's outcomes will be effectively communicated, disseminated, and exploited with stakeholders engagement.

The IntelLiGent project answers to the need for general public acceptance of EVs, by facilitating the industrial deployment of next-generation batteries allowing for an increased driving range, fast charging capabilities, low cost and increased safety. IntelLiGent will develop European generation 3b high voltage (>4.7 V) LIBs with increased energy density (>350-400 Wh/kg, 750-1000 Wh/l), charge acceptance (>2C) and cycle-life (>2000 deep cycles) compared to the state-of-the-art, while reducing cost (<100 €/kWh on pack level) and carbon footprint of the produced cells. The ambitious goals will be realized through optimized cells produced with; - High-voltage spinel LNMO cathode materials engineered to enhance stability and enable aqueous processing whilst exploring strategies to increase specific capacity beyond the theoretical maximum of standard LNMO - Energy efficient high-capacity stable Si-Gr anodes delivering 850 mAh/g - High-voltage electrolytes with innovative additives that form protective layers on the anode and the cathode - Self-mitigating and healing binders and separators minimize parasitic reactions and degradation - Novel open-source modelling tools and high-throughput screening will be employed to accelerate the development of environmentally benign materials with minimized use of critical raw materials -Optimized electrode design (≥4.5 mAh/cm2) and cell design-based commercial-scale automotive cells (20 Ah) as well as battery modules (1 kWh) at TRL 6 From an industrial viewpoint, a prerequisite for succeeding is continuity in battery R&D&I projects and training/education of required staff, which IntelLiGent will foster by broad dissemination and exploitation of the project results across the battery value chain. The project will result in strengthening of the European battery value chain by developing European industries with leading-edge technologies on battery materials, and allowing for accelerated roll-out of electrification for mobility.

HighSpin aims to develop high-performing, safe and sustainable generation 3b high-voltage spinel LNMO||Si/C material, cells and modules with a short industrialisation pathway and demonstrate their application for automotive and aeronautic transport applications. The project addresses in full the scope of the HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01-02 topic, setting its activities in the “high-voltage” line. The project objectives are: • Further develop the LNMO||Si/C cell chemistry compared to the reference 3beLiEVe baseline, extracting its maximum performance. • Develop and manufacture LNMO||Si/C cells fit for automotive and aeronautic applications. • Design and demonstrate battery modules for automotive and aeronautic applications. • Thoroughly assess the LMNO||Si/C HighSpin technology vs. performance, recyclability, cost and TRL. The HighSpin cell delivers 390 Wh/kg and 925 Wh/l target energy density, 790 W/kg and 1,850 W/l target power density (at 2C), 2,000 deep cycles, and 90 €/kWh target cost (pack-level). The project activities encompass stabilisation of the active materials via microstructure optimisation, the development of high-voltage electrolyte formulations containing LiPF6 and LIFSI, high-speed laser-structuring of the electrodes, and the inclusion of operando sensors in the form of a chip-based Cell Management Unit (CMU). HighSpin will demonstrate TRL 6 at the battery module level, with a module-to-cell gravimetric energy density ratio of 85-to-90% (depending on the application). Recyclability is demonstrated, targeting 90% recycling efficiency at 99.9% purity. HighSpin aims at approaching the market as a second-step generation 3b LNMO||Si/C in the year 2028 (automotive) and 2030 (aeronautics), delivering above 40 GWh/year and 4 billion/year sales volume in the reference year 2030.

In the context of increasing global battery use, developing sustainable, safe and efficient processes is a tangible issue to further enhance circular economy and strategic autonomy of the European Li-ion batteries value chain, in line with the battery partnership’s objectives launched under Horizon Europe. RESPECT main objective is to develop a global process encompassing a process-chain flexible enough to treat all kind of batteries in closed loop, considering the variability of Li-ion batteries chemistries (NMC, LFP, NCA, LMO) , applications (EV and ESS) and states (aged, damaged, EoL, production scraps) up to date not covered by any process on the State of the Art. RESPECT addresses two recycling routes: full hydrometallurgy and direct recycling and an improved Life Cycle Assessment of each recycling segment to lower emissions and reduce secondary pollution, safety and health risks. RESPECT will aim to design and validate the recycling processes up to pilot scale to recovering the highest amount of resources, including CRMs and active materials present in the batteries to closing the loop by their reuse in cathode and anode materials for new batteries. Socio-economic, as well as sustainability aspects will be covered throughout the project. To ensure a successful project implementation, knowledge sharing on Li-ion battery green recycling processes will be fostered, based on the engagement with relevant international stakeholders and experts through the advisory board. Based on a solid and interdisciplinary consortium of partners covering the whole value chain, RESPECT seeks high recovery rates (for Li, Mn, Co, Ni or graphite) with low environmental impact and strong energy savings, in accordance with the European Green Deal and the proposed Battery Regulation.