The consortium of RHINOCEROS, consisting of 13 partners, gathered on 8–9 October 2024 at VITO (Flemish Institute for Technological Research), Belgium, to review the project’s progress and coordinate the next steps.
The latest RHINOCEROS project meeting focused on reviewing ongoing progress and aligning next steps for extending the lifetime and value of end-of-life (EoL) lithium-ion batteries.
Day one included updates on coordination activities and efforts to secure and characterize battery supply, along with advances in automated sorting and dismantling systems, now entering the robotic validation phase. Presentations continued with pre-treatment strategies and material extraction, including recovery routes for lithium, manganese-rich cathodic materials, and graphene-based anodes—paving the way toward zero-waste processes.
On day two, discussions focused on upscaling efforts, with the launch of detailed engineering and prototype development for advanced hydrometallurgical systems. Material qualification will follow in the next phase.
Sustainability assessments and outreach activities remain active, and synergies with other EU projects were explored during a dedicated clustering session. The meeting marked the M24 milestone proposed with clear technical progress and a roadmap toward industrial-scale implementation.
During the meeting, Leitat presented its work on the development of polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) for the selective recovery of valuable metals such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, and manganese from waste streams. Work will continue in the coming months to reach the targeted recovery objectives.
Beyond the working sessions, the consortium members had the opportunity to visit VITO Labs.
Remember to follow the project at:
- Web de RHINOCEROS
- RHINOCEROS – Leitat Technological Center
