21.08.2023

Akobo Minerals - application process to trade on the US based OTC Markets Platform

Akobo Minerals AB (publ) (Euronext and Frankfurt: AKOBO), the Scandinavian-based Ethiopian gold exploration and boutique mining company, today announced that it has decided to apply for trading on the OTC Markets platform in the United States.  

18.08.2023

Superior enters into agreement to acquire VSI crushing manufacturer CEMCO

Superior Industries, Inc., a Minnesota-based manufacturer and global supplier of bulk material processing and handling systems, announces the acquisition of CEMCO, Inc. of Belen, New Mexico. CEMCO is a 60-year-old manufacturing company and originator of the modern Vertical Shaft Impact (VSI) Crusher, which revolutionized production of high quality road-making material.  

17.08.2023

Microplastic pollution: sustainable filter solution found at UBC

UBC device uses wood dust to trap up to 99.9 per cent of microplastics in water

Could plants be the answer to the looming threat of microplastic pollution? Scientists at UBC’s BioProducts Institute found that if you add tannins - natural plant compounds that make your mouth pucker if you bite into an unripe fruit - to a layer of wood dust, you can create a filter that traps virtually all microplastic particles present in water.  

17.08.2023

POWTECH 2023: Highlights and new features in the diverse supporting programme

The supporting programme for POWTECH 2023, the international processing trade fair for powder, bulk solids, fluids and liquids on 26–28 September 2023, is more diverse than ever. A VDMA Special Show, which focuses among other things on resource-conserving solutions, will make its debut at the event. This time around, there are even two versions of the expert forum “stagetalks”: stagetalks I will address all POWTECH visitor segments, while at stagetalks II, vendors of pharmaceutical processing technology will for the first time use separate streams to show the solutions they have to offer. Start-ups will be given a separate platform, and there will also be special highlights for students at this year’s event. In addition, anyone wanting to experience a live explosion in a safe environment will have the opportunity to do so twice a day.  

17.08.2023

RWTH Aachen and PWC: Study on Battery Recycling in the EU: Circular economy by 2040 seems unrealistic

RWTH Aachen and PWC: Study on Battery Recycling in the EU: Circular economy by 2040 seems unrealistic (credits: RWTH Aachen)

• Recycling of batteries will be a profitable and sustainable business in Europe even before 2035
• EU battery directive prescribes recycling quotas
• Nine Billion Euros Needed by 2035

Shortly before the updated EU Battery Regulation comes into force, the chair "Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components" (PEM) of RWTH Aachen University has published a study on the European battery recycling market. Due to high investment costs, the current structure of the value chain will move toward large recycling centers, according to the analysis published jointly with "PwC Strategy&". According to the analysis, after initial overcapacities, the recycling market will be fully utilized from 2030 onwards, requiring investments of more than 2.2 billion euros for the annual processing of around 570,000 tons of battery material.

EU battery directive prescribes recycling quotas

"The general increase in electrification and the growing battery production due to electric mobility will drive the recycling market in Europe," says PEM Director Professor Achim Kampker. After South Korea and China are considered pioneers in battery recycling with their regulations from 2013, the EU will soon create legal framework conditions throughout Europe from 2023 with its revised Battery Directive. In doing so, the directive sets such things as higher recovery targets and recycling efficiencies, as well as a minimum proportion of recovered material in new batteries.

Total investment could be halved

"In order to still be able to process all recyclable materials from 2035, market players will have to spend another seven billion euros on their recycling capacities," says Kampker, co-author of the study "The EU Recycling Market – A Viable and Sustainable Business". Currently, a value chain is being built up consisting of the "preparation", "pretreatment" and "main processing" segments of battery materials. Further technological specialization, for example, could reduce the high total investment by up to 50 percent, according to the analysis.

Circular economy by 2040 seems unrealistic

"Recycled material could account for up to 30 percent of the demand for lithium, nickel, and cobalt in battery cell production in 2035 and could double this share by as early as 2040," says Dr. Jörn Neuhausen, co-author and Senior Director E-Mobility at Strategy& Germany. This suggests "that a completely closed battery market will not emerge in the next 20 years." Meanwhile, the team of authors expects the combination of high material volumes and low recycling costs to create an ideal market environment for the battery industry. "Recycling of batteries will be a profitable and sustainable business in Europe even before 2035," Neuhausen says.

Source: RWTH Aachen

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