our doorstep. Lithium and
manganese production is
dominated by Chile, Australia
and China, but the majority
of cobalt comes from less
stable countries, in particular
the Democratic Republic
of Congo. Concerns have
already been raised by some
experts that mining output of
some of these minerals will
not be able to keep pace with
the growth in demand for
electric vehicles.
LOW-COST LITHIUM
While the Financial
Times reported
recently (6/9/20)
that a number
of companies
are investing in
Cornish mines
in the hope of
sourcing lowcost
lithium
domestically, a
secure supply from
recycled sources of the
minerals needed for EV
battery production in the UK
would provide assurance that
output could continue no
matter the political situation
in other countries.
Work is already underway
on joint projects organised
by the Faraday Institute
and involving scientists
and industry to increase
the efficiency of batteries
and make them more
environmentally friendly.
The aim of the ReLiB
project (Reuse & Recycling
of Lithium Ion Batteries run
by The Faraday Institution)
is to secure the recycling of
close to 100% of the materials
in lithium ion batteries in
the automotive sector, by
identifying and removing
the technological, economic
and legal obstacles to it. It
includes developing new
methods of isolating the
minerals used so they can be
recycled, identifying second
life uses for the components,
reviewing the regulations on
quickly and easily separated
for recycling when it runs out
of juice?
DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURE
Putting Design for
Manufacture at the heart of
the system is key. Designers
working with suppliers from
the outset can reduce the
number of components in
their product and increase
their efficiency. At TR
Fastenings, for example, our
specialist teams work closely
with our customers from the
very early stage of the design
process, with our engineers
able to develop, test and put
into production innovative
solutions to problems.
If we are to keep the cost of
replacing and recycling units
down, we need to develop
greater standardisation of
batteries so that a one size fits
all system can be created for
end of life disposal of all of
the constituent parts.
In addition, unless there is
a sustained focus on tackling
the end of life situation for
the current generation of
batteries, the green benefits of
the technology are at risk of
being undermined.
TR Fastenings
www.trfastenings.com
08454 811 800
battery recycling to ensure
they are fit for purpose -
and of course encouraging
the development of new
businesses to actually carry
out the recycling process.
All of us involved in the EV
industry have a role to play in
improving the sustainability
of the market. Some parts of a
lithium ion battery are already
reusable as are the fasteners
and components within EV
battery housings, busbar
assemblies and electrical
connectors within the battery,
as well as in the charging
sockets and facilities. The
fasteners and components
include silver plated
copper or brass connector
pins, brass inserts,
stainless steel bolts,
steel self-drilling screws,
aluminium connections and
compression limiters. At the
end of the battery’s functional
life, these should be easily
removable for separation
and recycled for use in other
products, whilst allowing
easy recovery of the spent
battery cells.
But if we are to move to
batteries that are near 100%
recyclable, we need to do
more.
Those designing the next
generation of EV batteries
must consider at the start of
the process – rather than as
an afterthought, or not at all –
how units will be disposed of.
How can we make the product
as efficient and effective
as possible, but still ensure
its constituent parts can be
“THOSE DESIGNING THE NEXT
GENERATION OF EV BATTERIES MUST
CONSIDER AT THE START OF THE PROCESS
– RATHER THAN AS AN AFTERTHOUGHT,
OR NOT AT ALL – HOW UNITS WILL BE
DISPOSED OF.”
www.fastening-solutions.co.uk 21
/www.trfastenings.com
/www.fastening-solutions.co.uk