Advanced materials for environmental challenges and biomedical research

During The 2nd Czech-German Business Meeting, which took place at VŠB - TUO, the Nanotechnology Centre in cooperation with the industrial partner Appsen presented. The meeting provided a platform for discussion on how smart manufacturing and sustainable energy technologies are shaping the future of industry.

The common theme of the presentation by representatives of CEET Nanotechnology Centre and Appsen was the lecture "Challenges in battery recycling and reuse", presented by Tomáš Kubina and Stanislav Cingroš. In their presentation, they focused on the specific technological and environmental pitfalls of battery recycling and also showed how the reuse of battery cells can extend their lifetime, reduce pressure on raw material extraction and contribute to sustainable energy development. In addition, the presentation offered insights into practice and presented real solutions that are already in use today.

What happens when the batteries of 200 electric cars get a second life?

Instead of the end of life, it could be the beginning of a new chapter. In his presentation, Tomas Kubina showed what is possible when batteries from 200 electric cars are given a second chance:
40 IES battery storage facilities will be created - a solution with clearly measurable benefits.
Every year, we save 3,250 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to the emissions from 700 cars, 36 million kilometres driven or 54,000 trees planted.

Re-using batteries significantly reduces the need to mine raw materials such as lithium, cobalt or nickel.
Crucially, the lifetime of batteries is extended by an additional 5-10 years instead of ending up in the recycling process.

The second life of batteries is no longer a vision of the future, but a solution that works today and delivers concrete results.