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BATTERIES 2009 event opened its doors today but already yesterday a Batteries Environment Outlook Forum was held to address all the environmental issues linked to the manufacturing of the batteries with a main focus on the recycling of batteries. The main message coming out was the need for co-operation between battery manufacturers and recyclers to ensure an environmental sound recycling process.

25 forum experts discussed a broad range of topics as regards the environmental impact of battery manufacturing and how to influence it. Issues discussed ranged from EU Batteries Directive 2006, chemical compositions and metals as well as labelling and international transportation.

The first in a series of articles about the BATTERIES 2009 event gives you below an overview of the main Forum presentations:

Emmanuel Beaurepaire, Sec Gen EBRA (European Battery Recycling Association): The reason for EBRA to organise such a Forum is to show the importance of communication between the battery recyclers and manufacturers. Beaurepaire pointed out that recyclers need information from manufacturers on the composition of batteries and the risks associated with metals and substances. He mentioned how crucial it is that the manufacturers already think about the recycling process while manufacturing.

The Battery Directive (2006/66/EC) has two main objectives. One, to ensure a high level of environmental protection through restrictitions on the use of the chemical elements mercury and cadmium as well as the high level of collection and recycling of waste batteries. Two, to ensure a EU internal market for all batteries including automotives. By September 2009, the European Directive that applies to all batteries (portable, automotive and industrial) has been transposed into national law by 24 Member States. Some technical issues remain unsolved and are currently being discussed by national experts at comitology level. He said for 2008 EBRA members have recycled 27,600 tons of batteries. Together with 8,000 tons by non-EBRA members this represents 18% of battery quantities on the market.

Jean-Pol Wiaux, GM, Recharge (European Association for Recycling Battery Manufacturers): “New Challenges in the Implementation of the Batteries Directive”
Wiaux raised another challenge regarding the recycling of batteries, namely safety, which for him is key and should have been more in focus in the Batteries Directive. Wiaux pointed out that so far, there is a lack of safety data sheet legislation for batteries and many non-EU companies can import new batteries where the chemical composition is not clear. This results in a very difficult and cost-intensive recycling process that harms the environment as well.

Dr Beate Kummer, Chemist: “REACH -New Environmental and Health Regulations with a Major Impact on Batteries“
According to EU regulation N° 1907/2006 on Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH), chemical producers and importers have to provide information about identified uses of the substances and information on safe use for their customers. However, secondary raw materials such as batteries are normally a mixture of totally different substances. REACH and the consequences for the battery manufacturers, SMEs and the recycling companies are therefore very complicated to foresee.

Which part of the battery should one register? Is it a substance, a mixture of substances or an article (the battery itself)? There is no easy answer, however, companies can join substance information exchange fora (SIEF), in order to share knowledge and costs. For quantities over one ton per year producers and importers have to comply with REACH. “No data, no market,” insisted Dr Kummer.

Jan Tytgat, Member of the Board, Ebra: “Recycling Efficiency and Best Available Technologies in Battery Recycling”
Tytgat explains that the Battery Directive (BD) imposes “best available techniques, in terms of the protection of health and the environment” as well as that “treatment and recycling schemes should use best available techniques”. The European Commission appointed an expert team to develop a recycling efficiency (RE) calculation methodology and a reporting tool and establish criteria for recyclers outside the EU. The calculation of the RE that Tytgat described in detail equals in the end the “mass of final fractions accounting for recycling” divided by the “input mass into the battery recycling process” times 100. The “mass of final fractions” is in this equation defines as only the end of waste products, excluding emissions and only that fraction of output that originates from battery materials. The “input mass” has to be on dry basis based on chemical analysis, as it is received by the recycler. According to the BD the EU member states have to report on RE to the European Commission. For the recycling outside the EU equivalent treatment requirements have to apply.

Johan van Peperzeel, Managing Director, Van Peperzeel: “Lithium mobile Power recycling”
Van Peperzeel recommends more cooperation between R&D battery industry and the dedicated battery recycling industry including sorting and transport organisations. The labeling of the batteries with metal compositions is an important issue for recyclers in order to recycle efficiently and safely. A safety sheet complying with the Battery Directory would be a very good start. He added that some producers have integrated end of life (EoL) thinking when designing new batteries. For example batteries packs that can be opened with screws instead of being welded together.