As the world accelerates its transition to electric mobility, powered by the unstoppable growth of electric vehicles (EVs), there is an emerging challenge that can no longer be ignored—the lifecycle and aftermath of lithium-ion batteries. While these batteries are the powerhouse behind EVs, renewable energy storage systems, laptops, and smartphones, their increasing deployment has raised serious questions around sustainability and waste management.
At LOHUM, we’re not just watching this shift—we’re powering it. As India’s leading producer of sustainable energy transition materials and battery circular economy solutions, we believe that addressing lithium-ion battery end-of-life challenges today will define the environmental impact of tomorrow’s energy revolution.
The Growing Demand – and the Growing Challenge
By 2030, it is projected that over 2 million metric tonnes of lithium-ion batteries will be retired annually across the globe. In the EV sector alone, vehicle battery retirements could cross half a million units per year, leading to a tsunami of battery waste. This staggering surge in demand and disposal has far outpaced the pace of infrastructure development and regulation, creating a looming challenge for safe and efficient battery waste handling.
While historically, most consumer electronic waste was destined for landfills, lithium-ion batteries present a very different opportunity. These batteries are packed with valuable metals—like lithium, cobalt, and nickel—that can be recovered, processed, and reused to manufacture new batteries, eliminating the need for environmentally intrusive mining operations.
A Game-Changer: From Battery Waste to Value
The cost of minerals in a lithium-ion battery makes up almost 50% of the total cost. Given the volatility in prices—some raw materials like cobalt and nickel have seen fluctuations as high as 300% within a single year—the economic case for recycling becomes not just viable, but vital.
But traditional methods, especially pyrometallurgy (smelting at over 1500°C), while effective in recovering certain metals like cobalt, nickel, and copper, tend to waste critical elements like lithium and aluminum. They are energy-intensive, emit toxic gases, and contribute significantly to the carbon footprint.
This is where LOHUM has taken a definitive leap. By innovating beyond traditional techniques, we are unlocking cleaner, more efficient pathways—most notably through direct recycling technologies that preserve the structure of the lithium-ion battery cathode precursor, enabling it to be refunctionalized and reused with minimal energy input. These breakthroughs not only retain the value of the engineered cathode compound but also reduce the lifecycle emissions associated with battery manufacturing.
Second-Life and Circular Strategies
EV batteries are typically retired once they drop below 80% of their original capacity, as per US Advanced Battery Consortium standards. But that doesn’t mean their usefulness ends there. At LOHUM, we are pioneering strategies to repurpose these batteries for low-demand applications—like stationary energy storage, solar integration, or peak-load management systems—adding another 6 to 10 years of functional life.
With this “second-life” strategy, we can slow down the flow of batteries into recycling plants while displacing the need for new cells in non-automotive uses. This not only reduces cost for end users but also amplifies the sustainability quotient of every battery that enters the market.
Policy, Partnerships, and a Path Forward
In India and around the world, regulators are stepping up. The lithium-ion battery waste management rules are now becoming more defined and stringent, requiring producers to ensure battery take-back, recycling, and safe disposal. In California, for instance, policies are being drafted to ensure 100% recycling or reuse of EV batteries sold in the state—a precedent other regions are now following.
But compliance is just the beginning. At LOHUM, we go beyond, turning policy into proactive opportunity. Our proprietary recycling technology allows for material recovery rates above industry average, supports domestic battery material supply chains, and drastically reduces reliance on critical mineral imports.
We believe that the true future of energy lies not just in how we power our world, but in how responsibly we deal with the aftermath. By closing the loop on battery materials, we are reducing environmental degradation, securing supply chains, and supporting India’s vision to become a global battery manufacturing hub.
The Science of Sustainability
Recent studies published in Joule have validated that cathodes regenerated through advanced recycling processes can outperform commercial materials, offering faster charging and longer life cycles. These advancements challenge long-held industry biases and reinforce the potential of recycled materials in high-performance applications.
The innovation, however, does not stop there. With increased porosity in recycled cathode materials, there is now room for performance optimization even beyond original specifications. At LOHUM, we are already integrating such insights into our R&D roadmap—pushing the limits of what recycled materials can achieve.
LOHUM: Powering the Energy Transition with Purpose
Our mission is simple: To make energy storage last forever. This is more than a tagline—it’s a commitment to building a cleaner, circular energy economy where nothing goes to waste. As the battery market races toward a trillion-dollar future, LOHUM stands at the forefront, driving a new era of material sustainability, product performance, and environmental responsibility.
The energy transition is not just about replacing fuels—it’s about redefining our relationship with resources. By mastering lithium-ion battery reuse, recycling, and innovation, LOHUM is not only powering vehicles and cities—but also shaping a cleaner planet for generations to come.
Visit us at: Clean & green Li-ion battery materials
