Establishing a Resource Recycling-Oriented Society
Mineral resources such as non-ferrous metals have become indispensable in everyday life. However, the supply of these resources is not indefinite. For this reason, we believe that the area in which we can best contribute to the sustainable development of society is the development of technologies and systems that can use these natural resources more effectively.
The Group has commenced demonstration trials in an effort to recover and recycle cobalt, nickel, lithium, and manganese from used lithium-ion batteries as well as waste cathode materials used for lithium-ion batteries. We are committed to establishing a recycling-oriented society by promoting the commercial application of recovery technologies.
An Urgent Need to Develop Rare Metal Recovery Technologies
Lithium Ore Production Volumes by Country
Currently, lithium-ion batteries are used extensively in such electronic devices as mobile phones and personal computers. Looking at the not-too-distant future, demand for lithium- ion batteries is projected to rise dramatically as an in-vehicle power source for next-generation automobiles, including electric and hybrid vehicles, with respect to the growing trend toward the establishment of a low-carbon society. Lithium, one of several necessary raw material metals, on the other hand, is a scarce commodity with an uneven geographical distribution. Under these circumstances, the recovery of lithium from used batteries and the development of recycling technologies that facilitate its reuse are issues of immediate pressing concern.
Consolidating a Variety of Techniques
Drawing on its technological expertise accumulated in its smelting and refining business as well as its recycling and environmental services business, the Group has actively engaged in the development of efficient recovery technologies that facilitate the extraction of value-bearing metals from used batteries and other sources. Following a public tender, the Group was commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to develop technology to recover rare metals from used lithium-ion batteries as a part of the ministry's industrial technology development program in September 2009. As a result, a pilot plant was constructed on the premises of Nikko Tsuruga Recycle Co., Ltd., a subsidiary company located in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture, and operations subsequently commenced there. These metal recovery technology development operations are being conducted in collaboration with Waseda and Nagoya universities.
Basic technologies have been developed with respect to the recovery of lithium and manganese from lithium-ion batteries. Should these technologies be brought to practical application, it would represent a world first.
Diagram of the Recycling Process
Building a Recycling Model for Recovered Metals
Tsuruga Plant (pilot plant)
Plans are in place to supply value-bearing metals recovered as raw materials for use in cathode materials of the invehicle lithium-ion batteries manufactured by the Group's Isohara Works located in Kitaibaraki City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and by other manufacturers.
In addition to striving to realize the practical application of recovery technologies in the future, the Group will endeavor to build an efficient supply chain encompassing lithium and other rare metals to realize materials stewardship.
