An LCA-TEA-Based Process for the Resource Recovery of Carbon-Based Byproducts from Used Batteries to Achieve Zero Waste

Technology Composition

• Using carbon by-products (recycled graphite) generated during the post-use battery recycling process as raw material, we produce recycled graphite anode material through a sequence of refinement, purification, and structural restoration

Primary Impurity Removal Using Eco-Friendly Solvents

• Initial removal of impurities contained in carbon by-products via an ultrasonic-based purification process

Secondary High-Purity Refining Process

• A low-cost, high-purity refinement process utilizing carbon thermal shock reduces the impurity content to less than 1%.

Anode Material Structural Restoration Technology

• High-purity recycled graphite is finely ground, then agglomerated and spheroidized, and finally coated with carbon to produce high-performance recycled graphite anode material

Key Technical Details

Technology Overview

• Technology that converts carbon-based sludge generated during the recycling of used batteries into high-value-added anode materials for rechargeable batteries through high-purity purification and functionalization

Background of Technology Development

• Demand for lithium-ion batteries is rising due to the rapid growth of the electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage system (ESS) markets, leading to a sharp increase in the volume of end-of-life batteries.

• Current recycling efforts focus on recovering high-value metals (such as lithium and nickel) from cathode materials, while anode materials (graphite), which account for approximately 32% of a battery’s mass, are mostly disposed of as industrial waste

• Graphite is a material for which Korea is highly dependent on imports, making the stabilization of the supply chain an urgent priority

• The global battery recycling market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%, reaching $19.8 billion in 2030 from $12.8 billion in 2025 (BCC Research, 2025).

• The domestic battery recycling market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%, rising from $202 million in 2024 to $362 million in 2034 (Bonafide Research, 2025)

Comparative Technological Advantages

• By combining ultrasonic-based primary refining with a low-cost secondary high-purity process, energy consumption is minimized, and a purity of over 99% is achieved through an environmentally friendly method

• Through surface modification and carbon coating technologies, it is possible to mass-produce recycled graphite anode materials with electrochemical properties equal to or better than those of commercial battery-grade graphite