Battery Recycling & Circular Economy
Battery Recycling & Circular Economy
Meet the projects:
Battery2Life – Extending Battery Lifetime through Second-Life Applications
Battery2Life is a Horizon Europe project dedicated to facilitating the transition of batteries into second-life applications. The project develops innovative tools, smart battery management systems, and advanced reconfiguration methods that enable the efficient reuse of batteries after their first operational life. Sunlight Group participates as a project partner, contributing its expertise in battery systems and circular economy solutions. The project runs from 2024 onwards and is funded under the Horizon Europe programme.
The project aims to maximize the value of battery assets, reduce waste generation, and support the development of a sustainable battery ecosystem in Europe. By enabling reliable second-life applications, Battery2Life contributes to resource efficiency and the broader objectives of the European Green Deal.
The project:
develops innovative battery management systems for second-life battery applications
enables efficient and reliable battery assessment, reconfiguration, and reuse
supports circular economy principles by extending battery lifetime and reducing waste
CRUSADE – Circular Recovery of Critical Raw Materials from End-of-Life Vehicles
CRUSADE is a Horizon Europe project focused on developing innovative recycling technologies for the recovery of critical raw materials from end-of-life automotive components, including printed circuit boards, catalytic converters, lithium iron phosphate batteries, and fuel cells. Through a consortium of industrial and research partners, the project aims to establish advanced recycling processes capable of treating up to 500 tonnes of spent components annually and recovering approximately 40 tonnes of critical metals. Sunlight Group participates as a project partner, contributing its expertise in battery recycling and circular economy solutions. The project runs from January 2024 to December 2027 and is funded under the Horizon Europe programme.
The project seeks to strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy in critical raw materials by transforming automotive waste into valuable secondary resources. By combining innovative hydrometallurgical processes with artificial intelligence, robotics, IoT technologies, and blockchain-based traceability, CRUSADE promotes a more sustainable, digital, and circular automotive value chain while significantly reducing environmental impact.
The project:
develops advanced recycling technologies to recover critical raw materials from automotive components that are currently difficult to recycle
integrates digital tools, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and blockchain, to improve efficiency, traceability, and circularity
supports Europe's climate neutrality and resource independence goals through reduced emissions, increased material recovery, and sustainable waste management.
BRACE – AI-Powered Optimisation for Battery Recycling
BRACE is an EIT RawMaterials project focused on developing an advanced artificial intelligence platform for real-time optimisation and decision-making in battery recycling operations. Built on the proven brains.app decision intelligence platform, BRACE integrates predictive analytics, process optimisation, operational simulation, and augmented intelligence to help recyclers improve performance and manage increasingly complex recycling processes. Sunlight Group participates as a project partner and demonstration site, supporting the deployment and validation of the technology in an industrial environment. The project runs from June 2025 to December 2027 and is funded by EIT RawMaterials.
The project aims to accelerate the digital transformation of battery recycling by enabling data-driven decision-making and operational excellence. Through advanced AI capabilities, BRACE allows recyclers to monitor changing feed streams, predict operational risks, optimise production processes, and improve resource recovery. The project will deliver a market-ready solution that supports the growth of Europe's battery recycling industry and strengthens the circular economy.
The project:
develops an AI-powered platform that enables real-time optimisation, predictive analytics, and intelligent decision-making in battery recycling operations
improves operational performance through increased metal recovery, reduced maintenance requirements, and lower operating costs
supports the digitalisation and competitiveness of Europe's battery recycling sector through the deployment of a market-ready industrial solution.
LiCuPlus – Sustainable Production Routes for Lithium and Copper
LiCuPlus is a Horizon Europe project bringing together leading industrial and academic partners from Europe and Chile to develop innovative and sustainable production routes for lithium and copper. The project focuses on advancing technologies across the entire value chain, from extraction and processing to refining and material recovery, supporting the growing demand for critical raw materials required for the energy transition. Sunlight Group participates as a project partner, contributing to the development of sustainable solutions for the battery value chain. The project runs from June 2025 to June 2029 and is funded under the Horizon Europe programme.
The project aims to increase resource efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen the resilience of critical raw material supply chains between Europe and Chile. Through innovative technologies for copper processing and lithium extraction, LiCuPlus supports low-carbon production pathways while improving the recovery of valuable materials and reducing waste generation.
The project:
develops advanced technologies for the sustainable production and recovery of lithium and copper, two strategic raw materials for clean energy technologies
significantly reduces waste, emissions, and water consumption through innovative low-carbon processing routes and resource-efficient extraction methods
strengthens Europe's access to responsible and sustainable sources of critical raw materials while supporting circular economy and climate neutrality objectives.
ReLiFe – Recycling Lithium Ferrophosphate
ReLiFe (Recycling Lithium Ferrophosphate) is an EIT RawMaterials project developed by a consortium of industrial and research partners to demonstrate an environmentally friendly and cost-effective technology for recycling lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery scrap and end-of-life batteries. The project includes the establishment of a pilot recycling plant with a nominal capacity of 500 tonnes per year at Sunlight Group's industrial complex in Xanthi, Greece, where Sunlight acts as the project coordinator. The project has received approximately €3.6 million in funding from EIT RawMaterials under Grant Agreement No. 22020, while the consortium contributes an additional €1.5 million through own resources.
The project aims to advance sustainable battery recycling technologies and support the development of a circular battery value chain in Europe. By demonstrating innovative recovery processes for critical battery materials, ReLiFe contributes to reducing dependence on primary raw materials and strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy in battery production.
The project:
demonstrates innovative recycling technologies for the recovery of lithium, iron phosphate and graphite from LFP batteries.
establishes a pilot plant that will pave the way for the commercial deployment of industrial-scale LFP recycling facilities.
supports Europe's battery manufacturing industry by contributing to the supply of critical raw materials and circular economy objectives.
ReLiON – Establishing a Regional Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Value Chain
ReLiON is an EIT RawMaterials project focused on establishing an integrated collection and recycling value chain for lithium-ion batteries in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. The project brings together industrial, research, and public sector stakeholders to strengthen the regional battery recycling ecosystem and improve the recovery of critical raw materials. Sunlight Group participated as a project partner, contributing its expertise in battery technologies and circular economy solutions. The project was implemented between January 2023 and December 2024 and was funded by EIT RawMaterials.
The project aims to transfer advanced lithium-ion battery recycling technologies to recyclers in the region, improve access to secondary critical raw materials, and support the development of a sustainable European battery value chain. Through collaboration between industry, academia, and public authorities, ReLiON contributes to strengthening Europe's resource security and accelerating the transition to a circular economy.
The project:
increases lithium-ion battery recycling capacity across Eastern and South-Eastern Europe through the deployment of advanced recycling technologies.
improves the recovery of critical raw materials such as lithium and cobalt while enhancing the treatment efficiency of NMC and LFP battery waste streams.
strengthens regional collaboration through business partnerships, training activities, and stakeholder engagement, supporting the development of a resilient battery recycling ecosystem.