Panasonic aims to use 20% recycled cathode material in batteries

Panasonic Energy aims to have integrated 20% recycled cathode materials into its automotive batteries by 2030 to help develop a sustainable, closed-loop battery recycling system.

Panasonic is collaborating with Sumitomo Metal Mining to transform nickel from lithium-ion battery cathodes into high-quality nickel sulfate, reducing the requirement for new raw materials and improving battery production sustainability. This closed-loop recycling system is a ground breaking step forwards for Panasonic, as it is the first of its kind in automotive battery production and it is a sustainable manufacturing process milestone, emphasising Panasonic’s commitment to creating a circular economy.

Sumitomo Metal Mining extracts nickel from the battery scrap, and transforms it into nickel sulfate at Panasonic Energy’s Osaka factory. By expanding their business to include lithium and cobalt by 2026, Panasonic aims for the process to become a closed-loop ‘battery-to-battery’ process by 2030. This process will be both self-sustaining and allows resources to be easily looped back into the production process, effectively reducing waste.

Kazuo Tadanobu, CEO of Panasonic Energy, commented “Building a sustainable recycling scheme is essential for the future growth of electric vehicles. This initiative ensures that high-quality materials are continually cycled back into production, minimizing waste and environmental impact.”