Cell Cycle
Cell Cycle has created a new process that takes advantage of bacteria that shaped metal formations to recycle low -energy batteries and low emissions.
A British start-up is resorting to one of the oldest forms of life on earth to face a modern environmental challenge: the battery waste.
Cell Cycle, which is part of the Ser group, has developed an innovative recycling process, called Lithiumcycle, which uses bacteria to extract valuable minerals Of the used batteries, offering a more green alternative to traditional recycling methods.
As the search for electric and electronic vehicles fires, recycling systems are under pressure to deal with the end -of -life lithium -ion stacks. Existing recycling methods are often expensive and harmful to the environment, depending on high energy casting or complex chemical treatments. In contrast, Cell Cycle’s approach takes advantage of the bacteria that shaped metal formations for millions of years, creating a system of low energy recycling and low emissions.
The idea arose from already established uses of bacteria in mining exploration and in the recycling of electronic products. Max Nagle, who leads Cell Cycle, noted that bacteria have a “proven history” Metal recovery such as copper and gold from ores and electronic waste. “Given that bacteria have been used for decades to recover metals, it seemed obvious to see if they could help with the batteries,” he said in an interview.
Instead of large, expensive installations designed for specific battery chemicals, the Cell Cycle method Requires only one bio -stranger tankwhich makes it scalable and adaptable. Bacteria work at a modest temperature of 37 ° C eliminating the need for large amounts of energy. Also feed on co₂ and even Free oxygen back For the system, making the process even more friendly with the environment, explains the.
With the United Kingdom currently unable to refine households, most used batteries are sent abroad for processing. Cell Cycle expects to change this by locating recycling and reducing dependence on foreign facilities. Supported by Innovate UK and the University of Coventry, the company is expanding quickly. A second laboratory in Manchester is almost ready and commercial scale operations are planned for 2026.
Potential impact is significant: not only this bacterial recycling process can reduce emissions and costs, but can also create a truly circular supply chain for essential minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt.
“We believe this can be a watershed in the way we deal with battery waste,” said Nagle. “To the work with natureInstead of against it, we can create a cleaner and more resilient future for battery technology. ”
