The BATRAW project, a collaborative European initiative, is tackling the pressing challenge of end-of-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries head-on. With 17 partners spanning research centers, SMEs, and industry stakeholders, BATRAW is developing advanced technologies to optimize EV battery dismantling, material recovery, and lifecycle traceability. Coordinated by LEITAT Technological Center in Spain and funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe program, the project aligns with the upcoming European Battery Regulation, promoting sustainability, safety, and traceability throughout the battery lifecycle.
At the heart of BATRAW are two innovative pilot plants. The first, located at BeePlanet’s facilities in Pamplona, Spain, focuses on semi-automated dismantling of EV batteries. This plant integrates AI-based battery recognition, collaborative robots (cobots) for safe manipulation, and a robot equipped with a force sensor. “The system performs a range of dismantling operations, including battery and screw recognition, unscrewing, cable disconnection, glue and metal cutting, and lid and module extraction,” explains a BeePlanet representative. The goal is to refine this system to operate at the module level, enhancing material recovery. The plant is expected to be fully operational by November 2025.
BeePlanet has also developed a battery health characterisation tool for rapid and accurate diagnosis of battery modules, supporting their reuse in second-life applications. This tool has been successfully applied to battery modules from Stellantis, achieving a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.604% in just 15 minutes. Additionally, a battery cabinet prototype was designed using 34 reused modules from EV packs, demonstrating a promising solution for stationary energy storage using second-life batteries in good condition.
The second pilot plant, hosted at Orano’s site in Bessines-sur-Gartempe, France, is dedicated to the hydrometallurgical recovery of critical raw materials (CRMs) such as cobalt, nickel, manganese, lithium, graphite, aluminium, and copper from end-of-life batteries. Over the first three years of the project, Orano, CEA, MTB, and LEITAT have collaborated on developing technologies for mechanical pre-treatment and innovations in the leaching and metal recovery stages of the hydrometallurgical process. Several innovations are already implemented and operational, as demonstrated during the BATRAW General Assembly visit to Orano’s site in July 2025.
Another key pillar of the BATRAW project is the development of a blockchain platform for raw materials, product, and supply chain tracking. Minespider is leading this effort by creating a digital battery passport with multiple data-sharing layers, incorporating all relevant regulatory data and templates. Future improvements consist of developing and testing AI-based tools to support creation and understanding of Battery Passports.
In line with safety and circularity objectives, BATRAW has also developed two public guideline documents: one on best practices for the safe handling and transport of end-of-life battery waste, and another on eco-design strategies for battery packs. These documents are available through the project’s official website.
The BATRAW consortium is confident that, by the end of the project, all objectives will be successfully achieved. The promising results obtained so far in the development of both pilot lines, particularly the high selectivity and purity levels in the hydrometallurgical recovery process and the effectiveness of the semi-automated dismantling technologies, suggest that the targeted recovery rates for critical raw materials will be met or exceeded. These advancements will validate the technical and economic viability of the solutions developed within BATRAW, strengthening the foundation for industrial-scale deployment and contributing to Europe’s strategic autonomy in raw materials.
The BATRAW project is a significant step towards a more sustainable and circular battery industry in Europe. By developing advanced technologies for battery dismantling, material recovery, and lifecycle traceability, BATRAW is not only addressing the growing environmental challenge posed by end-of-life EV batteries but also contributing to the strategic autonomy of the European battery sector. The project’s success could pave the way for similar initiatives worldwide, fostering a more sustainable and circular economy in the battery industry.