From Mine to Recovery: The Case for Nickel Recycling in Europe - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica highlights the critical importance of scaling nickel recycling in Europe to support a resilient and low-carbon supply chain for clean technologies, particularly electric vehicle batteries. A recent study shows that recycling nickel from batteries generally results in a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to mining and refining primary nickel. For example, using recycled nickel in a typical VW ID4 battery can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 1200 kg compared to conventional nickel sources. Hydrometallurgical recycling processes in Europe can cut carbon intensity by up to 70% relative to primary production, with emissions further reduced by Europe's cleaner electricity grid compared to countries like China. Despite this potential, Europe's current battery recycling capacity is far below what is needed to meet demand by 2030, and nearly half of planned recycling projects are at risk. To address this gap and foster a truly circular economy, Transport & Environment (T&E) recommends mainstreaming recycling in policy and funding, banning or restricting the export of waste materials outside the EU