Resumen de Lithium recycling still 'too expensive'
[...]the expense of separating out a small quantity of lithium from recycled batteries, while possible in some situations, is not justified by the value of what can be gained. According to Umicore, it uses a form of pyrometallurgy, employing its own ultra-high temperature (UHT) technology, to separate batteries into three parts: an alloy (containing the valuable metals - cobalt, nickel and copper); a slag fraction, which can be used in the construction industry; and clean air. "The filtrate solution from processing primary lithium batteries can be used to create lithium carbonate, but the recyclers don't generally do this with lithium-ion because it's just too expensive. Chinese institute sells high value lithium extraction technology Dongtai Jinaier Lithium Resource Co. and Qinghai Lithium Industry Co. have bought a technology patent for the extraction of lithium in high magnesium-lithium ratio salt lakes for Chinese renminbi (Rmb) 40m ($5.79m), marking the highest sale record.
