Glencore, FCC, Iberdrola to provide lithium-ion battery solutions

Glencore, FCC Ámbito and Iberdrola are pleased to announce their intention to partner to provide lithium-ion battery recycling solutions at scale for Spain and Portugal. The aim is to tackle one of the biggest medium to long-term challenges in the sector, recycling of lithium-ion batteries through the establishment of a purpose-built facility. This would include second life repurposing as well as true end of life recycling solutions.

FCC Ámbito is a subsidiary of FCC Servicios Medio Ambiente that is the Iberian leader in comprehensive management of industrial and commercial waste.

Iberdrola is a global renewable energy leader, and through its PERSEO Venture Builder programme aims to facilitate access to the technologies of the future with a focus on sustainability.

Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resources companies and a major producer, recycler, and marketer of key battery metals. One of Glencore’s key strategic goals is accelerating circularity of critical minerals, especially those needed for the transition to a low carbon economy.

Together, the parties intend to combine their respective experience and expertise to offer comprehensive recycling and second life solutions for lithium-ion batteries, both from gigafactory production scrap and end-of-life batteries.

In collaboration with the Iberian Energy Storage Research Centre (CIIAE, Centro Ibérico de Investigación en Almacenamiento Energético), the intended partners have assessed existing battery recycling capabilities, and feed availability in the region. They continue to work towards identifying the location for the recycling facility, which will be supported by sector leading technology. The facility will be operated by FCC Ámbito and will focus on the pre-processing of lithium-ion batteries and battery scrap, separating such feed into distinct streams for further downstream refining and recovery of battery metals.

With the increasing sales of electric vehicles comes the requirement for recycling their batteries once they have reached their true end of life. The recycling of battery materials is expected to reach c.35,000 tonnes annually in Spain by 2035 including production scrap.

Kunal Sinha, Global Head of Recycling, Glencore, commented: “We are delighted to be part of this alliance on battery circularity with Iberdrola, a world leader in renewable energy, and the FCC Servicios Medio Ambiente, the leader in waste management services for Spain and Portugal. Together, we aim to leverage the individual strengths of each company to bring circularity to the lithium-ion battery ecosystem across Spain and Portugal. It also supports our ambition to grow our recycling business in new markets. We are particularly thrilled to launch this project in Spain where Glencore has been operating one of the world’s largest zinc smelters since 1960.

“At Glencore, we view production scrap as well as post-consumer materials as a valuable resource that will help supply the increasing demand for critical metals in support of the energy transition and the world’s net zero ambition.”