Project objectives
The overall objective of RESTART project is to route the development of the full value chain for recycling the End-of-Life LiBs and PV, in accordance with priorities of the LEAP-RE Call. This will be implemented through a holistic interdisciplinary approach covering: Technology- Metal recovery process development & scale-up, Built-up fresh Batteries from recovered chemical elements; Sustainability- Life Cycle Assessment of selected processes; and Economy- Business Plan; Implementation of a Start-up. RESTART will create the foundation for sustainable economic growth (cost reduction & job creation) and for meeting the growing demand on valuable resources, though implementing environmental solutions (reduction of e-waste impacts). The Start-up as a major outcome from RESTART will serve as a demonstrator model for the African and European Countries.
This will be achieved by delivering on a number of specific objectives (SO) that form the basis of the RESTART project:
SO1: COLLECT
A strategy will be implemented starting from the collection procedure of the EoL LiBs and PV, disassembling (From modules to cells) them safely.
SO2: RECYCLE
Efficient processes for recycling EoL LiBs and PV will be identified through dedicated experimental screening and testing of key State-of-the-art technologies for recovering the targeted metals. Systematic R&D activities including characterizations, tests, reuses and comparison with commercials products will be conducted before shifting to semi-pilot reactor, targeting at least 1 kg/day of recovered metals.
SO3: IMPLEMENT
RESTART’s outcomes will be the basis for implementing a commercial start-up. This requires an economic and Life cycle assessments and the development of a Business Model.
SO4: COORDINATE
RESTART will provide a common platform gathering all the partners to meet and facilitate exchange. Other communication tools (emails, calls, face-to-face meetings, ...) will be also used to implement a sustainable Scientific and Technological coordination.
Results
It is estimated that the implementation of RESTART objectives will lead to the development of an innovative process for recycling of EoL LiBs and PVs, creating a start-up that will unlock the wide opportunities for jobs creation in this growing market (from the e-waste collection to fresh metal production). The quantitative increase in highly skilled workforce, together with the knowledge acquired during RESTART activities will help to enhance the competitiveness of European and African industries. They will profit from the reduction of e-waste production and improvement of resource efficiency through a more efficient recycling of critical materials. On a project scale, it can be expected that new and skilled engineers and scientists will stand out from RESTART project. Using the vast connections that are brought together by the project network, RESTART’s dissemination will ensure that the project will have a high level of visibility in key international, regional and national scientific meetings, workshops, webinars and conferences. Some of the results will be published in high impact journals. On the other hand, implanting innovations into industry, policy, investment and operation strategies will be targeted as well. In the context of dissemination and exploitation of the project results the intellectual property rights issues will be given proper attention guided by the arrangement drawn in the consortium agreement.
