Integration of lithium-ion battery recycling into manufacturing through digitalization: A perspective

The lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) industry has expanded quickly despite technological constraints. Additionally, raw materials supply, end-of-life (EoL) management, and the creation of LIB manufacturing policies are receiving attention. All these concerns could be addressed simultaneously by integrating recycling of EoL cells from the early stages of the LIB manufacturing. This article presents perspectives on how to achieve this holistic integration through the means of digitalization. Various challenges of LIB recycling, and different digitalization tools are discussed, shedding light on the latter's potential applications and outcomes. Through the use of the discussed tools to create advanced Digital Twins, it would be possible to screen different recycling processing conditions and materials to achieve higher efficiency, increased safety, at a lower cost. In this regard digitalization of the recycling process for LIB cells, emerges as the key for achieving a collaborative, sustainable, and efficient battery value chain in the European Union. Lastly, in the view of the growing LIB market, this article is thought to be of interest for recycling stakeholders as they move towards a more circular economy model.