All-solid-state Battery Production Process Emits Less Carbon

The European environmental group Transportation and Environment (T&E) recently surveyed carbon emissions from the manufacturing processes of different battery types. The process for lithium phosphate, iron (LFP) batteries, the main products of Chinese battery companies, put out 78 kg of carbon dioxide per kWh. The nickel, cobalt, manganese (NCM) battery production process produced a similar level of emissions, 77 kg per kWh. NCM batteries are mainly produced by the three Korean battery makers, LG Energy Solutions, Samsung SDI and SK On.

The process for all-solid-state batteries, which uses a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one, emitted 58 kg/kWh, 24 percent less than that for NCM batteries because the energy density of all-solid-state batteries is higher than that of NCM batteries. T&E calculated the energy density of LFP battery packs at 174 Wh per kg, that of NCM battery packs at 250 Wh per kg, and that of all-solid-state battery packs at 400 Wh per kg. All-solid-state batteries use 35 percent more lithium than lithium-ion batteries, but use less graphite and cobalt, which emit relatively large amounts of carbon.

If raw materials are extracted in a sustainable way, such as extracting lithium through geothermal power generation and using waste heat as an energy source, carbon emissions from all-solid-state batteries will be cut by up to 39 percent to 47 kg/kWh.

Recently, battery manufacturers are increasing the introduction of eco-friendly raw materials and are keen to reduce carbon emissions. A case in point is Compass Mineral of the United States, which signed a business agreement with LG Energy Solution. Compass Mineral uses the DLE method to directly extract lithium from salt lakes using renewable energy as an energy source. T&E analyzed that DLE can significantly reduce water consumption and has a higher lithium extraction rate than the conventional brine evaporation method.

SK On is operating a pilot waste battery recycling plant that recovers lithium hydroxide. The company explains that when lithium hydroxide is produced, carbon emissions are reduced by 74 percent compared to mines and 41 percent compared to salt lakes. SK On said in an ESG report that it will invest in the construction of lithium recycling plants within this year. The plants aim to start operation in the United States and Europe in 2025.

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