The Swedish Energy Agency grants research support to Nilar for the development of advanced battery upcycling
Today, Nilar International AB, which develops and produces advanced battery solutions in Sweden, announces that research support has been granted within the strategic innovation program RESource, which is financed by Vinnova, the Swedish Energy Agency and Formas. Together with Stockholm University and Uppsala University, Nilar will develop simple, environmentally friendly and cost-effective methods for reusing spent electrode material in new nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. The work will begin in September.
– That the innovation program ReSource grants us this research support is an important recognition of Nilar and our research partners’ pioneering work in battery recycling technology. The goal is to improve the possibility of reusing spent electrode material, which both promotes a sustainable and circular economy and contributes to improved performance of the new batteries, says Erik Oldmark, CEO of Nilar International AB.
Reuse of spent electrode material from batteries is an important part of the EU’s new battery regulation. As the entire society becomes electrified, it becomes important to find innovative solutions to recycle and reintroduce these materials into the battery industry. The project has a total budget of approximately SEK 4 million and receives a 50% grant from the innovation program ReSource.
By avoiding energy-intensive melting and recasting methods as well as complicated chemical-consuming hydrometallurgical processes, which are traditionally used in the recycling of NiMH batteries, Nilar wants to take the next step in sustainable battery production and facilitate the green transition.
Nilar has a long history of combining research expertise and industrial competence. Together with strategic partners, Nilar develops comprehensive solutions for energy storage, where the company’s unique battery technology based on NiMH electrochemistry with a water-based electrolyte is at the center. The technology means that Nilar’s batteries have increased safety while the components can be recycled and reused.