Strengthening Europe’s Lithium and Battery Materials Production Independence: EURICE Successfully Concludes EU Research Project RELiEF
Over three and a half years ago, the RELiEF project set out to reduce lithium waste by more than 70% by tapping into previously unused secondary lithium sources. Now the project has successfully concluded. One of the team’s major outcomes is a comprehensive policy brief outlining a roadmap for integrating secondary critical raw materials (CRMs) into the EU’s legislative agenda.
In 2022, the RELiEF team took on the challenge of developing an integrated Lithium recycling facility and establishing a process to produce battery materials from secondary and low-grade lithium sources, previously not recycled. Today, the project has achieved its objectives. The consortium successfully developed efficient and environmentally friendly processes for lithium extraction and battery material production, contributing to a more circular and resilient European battery ecosystem.
A Roadmap for Integrating Secondary CRMs into the EU's Legislative Agenda
A key outcome of the project is the publication of a policy brief presenting a roadmap for integrating secondary CRMs into the EU’s legislative agenda. Based on the project’s comprehensive analysis, the brief demonstrates that securing a circular supply of CRMs requires coordinated and strategic action. It outlines four clear recommendations to help transform secondary resources into strategic assets and strengthen Europe’s autonomy in raw materials.
- Standardise the Definition of Secondary CRMs
- Level the Playing Field through Verifiable Sustainability
- Incentivise Circulation and Cost-Competitiveness
- Institutionalise Adaptive Governance and Social License
The policy brief is available on the project website.
“RELiEF shows how the EU can turn secondary lithium streams into dependable and battery-grade resources, by reducing waste and enhancing the EU’s strategic interdependence with smarter circularity. The shift of the technical results into a clear roadmap for policy uptake helps the project to connect actual recycling innovation with the directions set by the EU Critical Raw Materials Act and the Sustainable Batteries Regulation. The focus moves now to turning these outcomes beyond the project’s lifetime, so that a better recyclability, a higher lithium recovery and real industrial uptake actively participate into Europe’s battery value chain,” highlights Sam Hoefman, Research and Impact Manager for RELiEF at EURICE.
Video Highlights Project’s Outcomes
In a recently published video, leading research team members reflect on RELiEF’s main achievements and share their insights on progress made, challenges encountered, and the project’s future impact.
You can watch the video on the project website and on YouTube.
