Fortum has been granted funding of EUR 10 million from Business Finland, enabling lithium recovery from recycled battery materials at the hydrometallurgical recycling facility being built in Harjavalta, Finland.
Upon completion, the new facility will enable efficient recycling of the valuable metals found in the lithium batteries used in electric cars and various waste fractions generated in the battery production chain as well as production of sustainable battery chemicals made from recycled raw materials. The cornerstone of the new facility was laid in November 2021, and the facility is scheduled for completion in 2023.
Efficient and sustainable recycling of battery materials is necessary as the demand for batteries grows in the electrifying world. Customers are also increasingly more interested in responsible recycling of battery materials. Innovative recycling and recovery methods strengthen Finland’s competitiveness in the battery sector and advance national climate targets.
“We are really pleased about the funding decision enabling lithium recovery with new technology at the facility we are currently building. Lithium recovery strengthens Fortum’s position as a frontrunner in sustainable battery recycling. The funding granted by Business Finland has a significant impact on the development of our battery recycling business,” says Tero Holländer, Head of Business Line Batteries at Fortum.
Further information:
Tero Holländer, Head of Business Line Batteries, Fortum Recycling & Waste, tel. +358 40 861 5071, tero [dot] hollander [at] fortum [dot] com
* Updated on 21.12.2021: The funding granted to the project is part of the European Union's NextGenerationEU funding from Finland's Sustainable Growth Program.
Previous releases related to Harjavalta recycling plant investment:
17.6.2021 Fortum makes new Harjavalta recycling plant investment to expand its battery recycling capacity