KAWANISHI CITY, Japan, Nov. 25,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Science Alliance Co.,
Ltd. (Headquarters: Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture,
Japan, CEO : Dr. Ryohei Mori) and Switzerland Innovation Park
Biel/Bienne, a Swiss research and development hub for
industry-academic collaboration, have signed a Letter of Intent
(LOI) regarding the manufacturing and joint research and
development of regenerative lithium-ion batteries (hereafter
referred to as "black mass batteries") that utilize cathode
materials derived from black mass, developed by Green Science
Alliance. They plan to collaborate with companies, startups, and
research institutions affiliated with the Switzerland Innovation
Park network, in order to accelerate their battery business. In
addition, to promote research, development, manufacturing, and
market expansion of black mass batteries throughout Europe, with Switzerland being as their European base.
Black mass is a recycled material derived from
lithium-ion batteries, appearing as a fine black powder containing
valuable transition metals such as cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni),
manganese (Mn), and lithium (Li), an alkali metal. These metals are
essential components of lithium-ion batteries, but their production
is geographically concentrated in regions such as Russia, China, and parts of Africa. This concentration creates risks of
political supply instability and price fluctuations, underscoring
the importance of recycling black mass to ensure a sustainable
supply chain. The conventional method of extracting and separating
Co-Ni-Mn-Li from black mass involves the use of hazardous chemicals
such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and strong alkali such as
caustic soda. While effective, this approach poses significant
risks to worker safety, cause environmental damage, places a burden
on industrial equipment, and increases operational costs.
In this regard, Green Science Alliance has developed a much
simpler process that directly utilizes black mass to produce
cathode materials without requiring complex metal extraction
procedures. These cathode materials have been successfully used to
manufacture lithium-ion batteries, achieving an initial capacity of
approximately 90% or higher compared to commercially available
lithium-ion batteries using NMC111 cathode material
(LiNi0.33Mn0.33Co0.33O₂).
Additionally, the cycle stability of these batteries matches that
of traditional NMC111 batteries. This innovative method eliminates
the need for conventional metal extraction processes, enhancing
worker safety, reducing harmful environmental impact, and enabling
the production of cost-effective and sustainable lithium-ion
batteries. The simplified process also lowers material costs,
contributing to the development of regenerative battery
solutions.
Therefore, Green Science Alliance has decided to
manufacture and sell black mass-based lithium-ion batteries,
marking what is believed to be the world's first commercial
production and sale of regenerative lithium-ion batteries created
directly from recycled materials. While preparations for
manufacturing and sales are underway in Japan, the high costs associated with
exporting lithium-ion batteries necessitate production on each
continent. After a multi-year investigation into the most suitable
location within Europe,
Switzerland was selected for the
manufacturing, sales, and research and development of these
innovative batteries.
Switzerland stands out as a
global leader in innovation, having ranked first in the World
Innovation Rankings for 13 consecutive years (*1). The country
prioritizes the pursuit of cutting-edge solutions as a key national
policy. Numerous startups with advanced technologies have emerged
from prestigious institutions such as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
(ETH Zurich) and
Lausanne (EPFL), fostering a dynamic ecosystem of collaboration
among industries, government bodies, and academia.
※1：WIPO, "Global Innovation Index 2023,"
https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2023/
In Switzerland, a country
renowned for its innovation, the Switzerland Innovation Park offers
state-of-the-art research facilities, offices, coworking spaces,
and cutting-edge infrastructure. The park fosters collaboration
among private companies, startups, universities, and research
institutions to develop groundbreaking technologies and products
across diverse fields, including life sciences, computer science,
energy, resources, environment, mobility, transportation,
manufacturing, and materials. It also supports partnerships between
industry, government, and academia through its optimal
partner-matching services. Switzerland's stable legal framework, strong
protection of intellectual property rights, and world-class
education system create a uniquely favorable environment for
innovation and the development of world-leading technologies.
For more information, visit
https://www.switzerland-innovation.com/.
Switzerland is a leader in
energy and cleantech technologies, particularly those focused on
achieving carbon neutrality. The Switzerland Innovation Park
Biel/Bienne, located in the canton of Bern, where Green Science Alliance has
recently established a branch, is especially well-suited for
secondary battery development. The park hosts the Swiss Battery
Technology Center (SBTC), a hub for cutting-edge research in
the field of electric vehicle batteries. Its activities revolve
around artificial intelligence, robotics, battery disassembly,
battery testing, and battery recycling. This collaboration is ideal
for Green Science Alliance, which produces regenerative lithium-ion
batteries from extracted black mass.
Looking ahead, Green Science Alliance will continue its efforts
in Japan while accelerating the
expansion of its black mass battery business in Europe, collaborating with the Switzerland
Innovation Park Biel/Bienne in the canton of Bern as its strategic base.
Contact:
Ryohei Mori
+81-72-7598501
386840@email4pr.com
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SOURCE Green Science Alliance Co., Ltd.
