The BATRAW project, a collaborative European initiative, is tackling a pressing challenge in the electric vehicle (EV) industry: the sustainable management of end-of-life EV batteries. As the number of EVs on European roads continues to rise, so does the volume of spent batteries, creating an urgent need for effective recycling solutions. BATRAW, funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe programme, is developing advanced technologies to optimise EV battery dismantling, material recovery, and lifecycle traceability, aligning with the upcoming European Battery Regulation.
The project brings together 17 partners, including research centres, SMEs, industrial stakeholders, recyclers, and policy experts. Co-ordinated by LEITAT Technological Center in Spain, BATRAW is focused on promoting a circular economy approach in the battery sector. The project’s core objectives include developing cutting-edge technologies for semi-automated dismantling, mechanical pre-treatment, hydrometallurgical recycling, and creating a second-life battery prototype, as well as a blockchain-based digital passport for full traceability across the battery value chain.
Two innovative pilot plants are at the heart of the BATRAW project. The first, located at BeePlanet’s facilities in Pamplona, Spain, focuses on semi-automated dismantling of EV batteries. It integrates AI-based battery recognition, cobots for safe manipulation, and a robot equipped with a force sensor. This system performs a range of dismantling operations, with the goal of refining it to operate at the module level for improved 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. A battery cabinet prototype designed using reused modules from EV packs demonstrates a promising solution for stationary energy storage.
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.
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 include developing and testing AI-based tools to support the 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 guidelines focus on improving dismantling efficiency and enabling easier module access for repair or second-life use.
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 CRMs 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 innovative technologies for battery recycling and traceability, it addresses the growing environmental and strategic challenges posed by end-of-life EV batteries. The project’s success could shape the future of the sector, encouraging further investment in circular economy solutions and promoting Europe’s leadership in sustainable battery technologies. As the project progresses, it will be crucial to monitor its developments and potential impact on the EV battery industry and the broader energy transition.