Norway-based Hydro and Northvolt, through their JV Hydrovolt, have started construction of a battery recycling plant. The plant is likely to be operational in late 2021, with a capacity to process 8,000mt of modules from car batteries, according to a press release. The plant entails an investment of NOK120mn ($13.90mn) is located in the town of Fredrikstad.
Hydro states it will recycle and reuse aluminium from used batteries the plant processes. The black mass consisting of lithium, manganese, nickel, and cobalt will either be reused in its JV partner’s battery production or sold to other battery makers. The plant which will be powered through renewable energy will crush and sort batteries. Besides car batteries, the company also plans to recycle batteries from the marine sector.
($1 = NOK8.63)