- SNAM will collect and recycle batteries from Honda’s hybrid and electric vehicles and potentially prepare them for ‘second-life’ renewable energy storage uses
- Through SNAM’s dedicated online platform, dealers will be able to arrange and request the collection of end-of-life batteries for treatment and recycling
Honda Motor Europe has announced that it is expanding its battery recycling partnership with SNAM (Société Nouvelle d’Affinage des Métaux) to help in the sustainable usability of its end-of-life traction batteries. As per this agreement, SNAM will collect and recycle batteries from Honda’s hybrid and electric vehicles and potentially prepare them for ‘second-life’ renewable energy storage uses. It can also extract valuable materials for recycling if they are not suitable for that purpose.
Tom Gardner, senior vice president at Honda Motor Europe, said, “As demand for Honda’s expanding range of hybrid and electric cars continues to grow so does the requirement to manage batteries in the most environmentally-friendly way possible. Recent market developments may allow us to make use of these batteries in a second life application for powering businesses or by using recent improved recycling techniques to recover useful raw materials which can be used as feedstock into the production of new batteries.”
Lithium-ion and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries
Honda and SNAM have worked together since 2013 for providing the traceability of end-of-life batteries and disposing of them in accordance with European Union environmental standards. This partnership will have SNAM collect Lithium-ion and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries from across Honda’s dealer network and Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATF) in 22 countries. After that, they will analyse how suitable they are for recycling and processing them accordingly.
Safe and low carbon transport is utilised for the collection of used traction batteries. On arrival, SNAM assesses which battery packs are valid for inclusion in a new energy storage device. After that, they are repurposed and made available by SNAM for domestic and industrial applications.
When battery cells are damaged and unsuitable for ‘second life’ applications, materials like cobalt and lithium can be extracted using hydrometallurgy techniques that involve the use of aqueous chemistry. These can be used in the production of new batteries, colour pigments or as useful additives for mortar. Other commonly used materials include copper, metal and plastics which are recycled and offered to the market for use in the production of a variety of applications.
Centralised storage hubs
Through SNAM’s dedicated online platform, dealers will be able to arrange and request the collection of end-of-life batteries for treatment and recycling. It can also be arranged from centralised storage hubs within 15 working days, so that dealers do not have to store batteries at their premises. This agreement will apply to large ‘traction’ batteries used to power motors in hybrid and electric vehicles
