2nd Conference on Battery Direct recycling

RESPECT project was present at the 2^nd Conference on Battery Direct recycling at Wurzburg, Germany, (DRC 2026) hosted by Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC.  From February 3-5, 2026, more than 170 experts gathered in Würzburg showcasing the latest advances in the direct recycling of anodes and cathodes.

Direct recycling aims to recover functional battery materials from end-of-life batteries or production scrap and reuse them directly in new cells - preserving material value, reducing processing steps, and enabling more resource-efficient battery production. The Respect project would contribute to the development of the battery recycling industry in Europe providing innovative and efficient processes.

RESPECT coordinator Justo García (Orano) presented the main results of the Respect Project during the session dedicated to the EU initiatives with the presentation on "Advancing Circularity in Battery Materials: Direct Recycling of CAMs in RESPECT project".

The project was also presented on 3 posters:

• Upscaling recycled graphite for a self-sufficient and sustainable battery production by Susan Sanaes Israel and Ane Muguruza (CIDETEC).

• Beyond Regeneration: Upcycling as the Future of Direct Recycling of End of Life NMC Batteries by Michael Hofmann (Fraunhofer).

• Evaluation of the upscalability of recycled Li Ni(0.8) Mn(0.1) Co(0.1) 02 for Li-ion applications by Susan Sanaes Israel and Ane Muguruza (CIDETEC)

  
  

Moreover, Susan Sanaes Israel won the first Prize at the Conference on the Battery Direct Recycling for her poster: Evaluation of the upscalability of recycled Li Ni(0.8) Mn(0.1) Co(0.1) 02 for Li-ion applications. The poster presented the work carried out on ink processing and the validation of recycled NMC cathodes through hydrometallurgy and direct recycling.