UMICORE AND RHODIA DEVELOP RARE EARTH RECYCLING FOR RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES

摘要

Umicore and Rhodia have jointly developed a unique process for the recycling of rare earth elements (REE) from Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries. This recycling process combines the capabilities of Umicore's proprietary Ultra High Temperature (UHT) battery recycling process with Rhodia's rare earth refining competences. The process can service the whole range of NiMH batteries from portable applications to the batteries for hybrid electric vehicles. It is expected that first recovery of rare earth materials could take place by the end of this year. The process will enable the recovery of rare earths from NiMH batteries that will be treated at Umicore's new battery recycling plant in Hoboken. After the separation of the nickel and iron from the rare earths, Umicore will process the rare earths into a high grade concentrate that will be refined and formulated into rare earth materials at Rhodia's plant in La Rochelle (France).