Carbon Reduction Potential Assessment of Recycling Retired NCM Batteries from a Life Cycle Perspective

doi:10.11930/j.issn.1004-9649.202410041

Abstract

Abstract:

Proper disposal of of electric vehicles retired batteries is crucial for improving resource utilization efficiency and reducing potential carbon emissions. This study, based on the life cycle assessment method, analyzes the carbon footprint of retired batteries across various stages, including recycling, disassembly, cascade utilization and regeneration, and explores the optimization of recycling paths for retired ternary lithium batteries from this perspective. The results indicate that the overall recycling of retired ternary lithium batteries provides positive emission reduction benefits, with the carbon footprint of recycling 1 kW·h of retired NCM batteries being approximately –51.2 kg CO₂-eq and –30.1 kg CO₂-eq for hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical paths, respectively. The hydrometallurgical path shows the greatest emission reduction during the regeneration stage, while the pyrometallurgical path shows the greatest reduction during cascade utilization. Compared to the pyrometallurgical process, the hydrometallurgical process has greater emission reduction advantages due to its higher material recovery rates and lower energy consumption. Developing renewable energy to optimize the power structure, increasing the proportion of cascading utilization, and applying the hydrometallurgical recycling can effectively enhance the carbon reduction benefits of recycling retired NCM batteries.

Key words: retired NCM battery, carbon footprint, recycle, cascading utilization, life cycle assessment

DENG Xiangyan, DONG Xinzhao, DING Xu, WU Zhuhui, HAI Bao, BAI Zhenming, YAO Zheng, QIAN Zihao, LI Jianxi. Carbon Reduction Potential Assessment of Recycling Retired NCM Batteries from a Life Cycle Perspective[J]. Electric Power, 2025, 58(12): 190-198.

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URL: https://www.electricpower.com.cn/EN/10.11930/j.issn.1004-9649.202410041

https://www.electricpower.com.cn/EN/Y2025/V58/I12/190

Figures/Tables 7

Fig.1 System boundary for cyclic utilization of retired ternary lithium batteries

Fig.2 Flowchart of hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical recycling processes

Fig.3 Carbon footprint of cyclic utilization of retired ternary lithum batteries

Fig.4 Sankey diagram of the carbon footprint impact contribution in cyclic utilization of retired ternary lithum batteries (50% cascade utilization, 50% hydrometallurgical recycling)

Fig.5 Scenario analysis results: power structure optimization adjustment

Fig.6 Scenario analysis results: proportion adjustment of cascading utilization

Fig.7 Uncertainty analysis results

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