Joint Project on Phosphate Recycling Starts at MEET Battery Research Center

To recover phosphate from existing sources such as wastewater or farm manure and reuse it in lithium-ion batteries, MEET Battery Research Center at the University of Münster initiated the project SuSyPhos (short for: Sustainable Synthesis and Recycling of Phosphorus-containing Materials in Lithium-Ion Batteries). Together with the FH Münster ─ University of Applied Sciences, the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB, the Institute for Business Administration at the University of Münster and BeTeBe GmbH, the Münster-based research institute will be investigating the entire supply chain of the raw material over the next three years. The project covers the recycling of the phosphate, its processing and its use in batteries. It is being funded with around 2.5 million euros as part of the innovation competition “GreenEconomy.IN.NRW”. The Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the European Regional Development Fund provide equal amounts of funding.

Phosphate is a valuable raw material and is considered a critical raw material, as the European Union has no own resources for phosphate. In battery research, it is implemented in form of lithium iron phosphate as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. The advantage these batteries: they are long-lasting and offer high charging rates. The batteries are therefore used both in electric vehicles and in stationary storage systems. Due to the constantly growing demand for storage capacities, the demand for phosphate increases. “By recovering the phosphate from wastewater and farm manure, we aim to secure the supply for battery production and at the same time reduce dependence on imports,” says Dr Simon Wiemers-Meyer, Deputy Head of the research division “Analytics and Environment” at MEET Battery Research Center. “At the same time, we can reduce the currently excessive phosphate input into the environment." Through the sustainable use of phosphate in lithium-ion batteries and the reduced input into the environment, the project can contribute to environmental protection in two ways.

Focusing on the Entire Supply Chain

The aim of the SuSyPhos project is to recycle the material and synthesize it for the production of lithium-ion batteries. For this purpose, BeTeBe and the FH Münster first select the source materials and separate the phosphate. Afterwards, MEET Battery Research Center purifies the material and uses it for the synthesis of lithium-ion battery active material. The particles are coated with carbon to increase the electronic conductivity. The different steps of the material synthesis are accompanied by a comprehensive analysis. Using various methods, the MEET team and the FH Münster characterize the material and examine its composition, purity, particle size, crystal structure and the structure of the carbon coating.

In order to evaluate the electrochemical properties of the lithium iron phosphate obtained, the research team uses the material to build electrodes and battery cells. A life cycle assessment and an economic evaluation by the Fraunhofer FFB and the Institute for Business Administration at the University of Münster complete the project.