Innovative Upcycling Machine Disassembles Batteries for Sustainable Reuse

Circu Li-ion's Revolutionary Battery Upcycling Technology: A Game Changer for Sustainability

Circu Li-ion co-founder and CEO Antoine Welter recently shared insights into his startup's innovative upcycling machine, which can assess battery condition in mere seconds. "We accurately identify which cells can be reused and which cannot," Welter stated during a conversation on Monday.

Based in Luxembourg, Circu Li-ion is dedicated to preserving functional battery cells from being shredded. Utilizing advanced AI technology and an expanding "battery library," the startup's machine evaluates batteries based on their physical characteristics. It effectively separates battery cells from other materials, such as plastic casings and PCB boards, while also determining the health status of each cell.

Cells in optimal condition may be repurposed for mobility applications. Moderately functional cells could be employed in renewable energy storage, while those deemed unsuitable are forwarded to recycling facilities.

Traditional recycling methods often involve shredding batteries into a black mass, where valuable metals are recovered through smelting or leaching. Unfortunately, this process typically leads to a mix of components that lose their individual value.

Circu Li-ion's machinery excels in extracting reusable battery cells from plastic housings and other components, such as PVC boards. “A significant amount of valuable materials can be retrieved that don’t need to end up in a shredder,” Welter explained, emphasizing that "more than 80% of cells in an end-of-life battery still hold value."

When pressed about the criteria his machine uses to evaluate battery health, Welter remained discreet. “We gather over 25 data points per cell using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) testing,” he detailed. "From these data points, we can determine cell health with a precision of 1.2%." The CEO likened the assessment of an older cell to reading tree rings, stating, "You can discern various patterns that reveal the cell's condition."

Circu Li-ion operates on a model where manufacturers and recyclers can utilize its machines and software. The company also runs a facility in Karlsruhe, Germany, dedicated to battery disassembly.

Welter's background includes experience as a B2B investor and consultant, while co-founder and CTO Xavier Kohll contributed to the development of a "soft total artificial heart" at ETH Zurich, a prominent Swiss research institution.

Earlier this month, Circu Li-ion successfully raised approximately $4.8 million (€4.5 million) in equity financing led by BonVenture, building upon an earlier $4.2 million (€4 million) in grants from the European Innovation Council Accelerator and other funding sources.

The startup indicated that this blended funding of around $9 million will be instrumental in scaling its machine-as-a-service business model. Additionally, Circu Li-ion aims to establish "the world's largest" database of battery recycling information, further enhancing its contribution to environmental sustainability.