Powering the Circular Economy: How LOHUM is Reshaping the Future of Lithium-ion Battery Recycling
The world is transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable energy solutions. At the heart of this transformation lies the lithium-ion battery—fueling everything from electric scooters and motorcycles to sportscars, trucks, trains, and even aircraft. The momentum toward electrified mobility is not just a trend—it's an evolution.
Yet with opportunity comes
responsibility. As the use of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) surges globally, so
does the challenge of responsibly managing battery end-of-life. According to
industry analysts, by 2030, more than 2 million metric tonnes of lithium-ion
batteries will retire annually—largely from electric vehicles (EVs). This
looming wave of used batteries represents both an environmental risk and a tremendous
opportunity.
At LOHUM, we are seizing this
opportunity head-on—by creating a truly circular and sustainable battery
value chain. As one of India’s leading integrated lithium-ion battery
lifecycle companies, we’re not just rethinking battery use—we’re rebuilding the
blueprint for battery reuse, recycling, and resource recovery.
The
Case for Circular Battery Ecosystems
Today, lithium-ion batteries are
embedded in the backbone of our modern energy infrastructure. However, building
new mines to extract raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel
is a costly and environmentally disruptive endeavor. Mining operations have
long been linked to water resource depletion, harmful runoff pollution, and
even geopolitical instability. For example, over 60% of the world’s cobalt
supply comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, often involving unsafe
and unethical mining practices.
Recycling, therefore, is not just a sustainability goal—it's a strategic
imperative. Recovered battery materials reduce dependence on virgin
resources, cut greenhouse emissions, and enhance national resource security.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, recycled battery materials—when
processed optimally—can match or even exceed the performance of newly
manufactured materials.
This is where LOHUM is
creating impact—by advancing material recovery, enabling second-life
applications, and delivering net-zero battery materials that meet
the demands of today and tomorrow.
Innovation
in Action: Beyond Traditional Recycling
Conventional lithium battery
recycling—such as pyrometallurgy—relies on high-temperature smelting, which is
energy-intensive and inefficient. Cobalt, nickel, and copper are recovered, but
lithium and aluminum are often lost as waste slag. These processes also involve
the treatment of toxic emissions and have lower overall recovery rates.
At LOHUM, we go beyond traditional
methods. Our proprietary direct recycling technologies preserve the valuable
cathode compounds—one of the most expensive and chemically complex parts
of the battery. By retaining their crystal structure and re-functionalizing
the cathodes through controlled relithiation, we reduce the need for
energy-intensive refining and re-synthesis. The result? High-purity materials
that charge faster, last longer, and perform on par with
virgin materials.
Research from global academic
institutions backs this approach. A recent study in Joule revealed that
recycled cathodes can outperform new ones in charging speed and cycle
life—thanks to improved porosity and structure that reduce degradation.
Unlocking
Second-Life Potential
Even after an EV battery reaches the
end of its primary vehicle life—defined by a decline to 80% of its original
capacity—it can still offer immense value. Batteries retired from EVs often
retain substantial energy storage potential, ideal for stationary
applications such as solar energy storage or grid peak shaving.
LOHUM leads the way in repurposing
battery modules for a second life, thereby extending their utility by 6
to 10 years. In fact, through our solutions tailored for the li-ion battery pack 2 wheeler
& 3 wheeler market, we help accelerate EV affordability while
reducing environmental impacts and material waste.
Given the exponential growth in the
electric two- and three-wheeler segment across India and Southeast Asia, our
second-life solutions are primed to serve a wide spectrum of mobility and
energy storage needs—especially for low-power, urban, and rural transport
sectors.
Policy
as a Catalyst: Embracing EPR for Lithium-Ion Battery Lifecycle Management
Globally, policymakers are beginning
to understand the vital role of extended producer responsibility (EPR)
in building sustainable battery economies. Initiatives such as California’s
push to ensure 100% recycling or reuse of EV batteries sold in the state
offer a blueprint for forward-thinking regulatory frameworks.
In India, EPR for lithium-ion
battery management is gaining traction. By holding manufacturers
accountable for the entire lifecycle of the battery—from production to
end-of-life—EPR systems encourage innovation in design, encourage recycling
infrastructure investments, and promote responsible sourcing.
At LOHUM, we actively
collaborate with regulatory bodies to support and shape EPR standards. Our
traceable, closed-loop systems offer data transparency, safety assurance, and
environmental compliance—all critical for a resilient circular economy.
Future
Outlook: Scaling Sustainability in a Trillion-Dollar Market
The global battery materials market
is poised to exceed $1 trillion in the next two decades. To meet the
demand while reducing environmental impact, domestic recycling and material
recovery are non-negotiable.
LOHUM is scaling fast to meet this
need. We’ve already processed thousands of tons of LIBs, and our growing
portfolio includes net-zero materials, proprietary technologies, and
global partnerships that make circularity both viable and profitable.
We envision a future where every
li-ion battery—whether for an EV, a grid system, or a li-ion battery pack 2
wheeler & 3 wheeler—can be tracked, reused, and reimagined with
minimal footprint and maximum value.
Closing
the Loop with LOHUM
As the EV revolution accelerates,
battery sustainability cannot be an afterthought—it must be a core strategy.
From EPR
for lithium-ion battery compliance to second-life deployment and
circular material innovation, LOHUM is building the systems, partnerships, and
technologies that will define the next decade of clean mobility.
LOHUM is not just recycling
batteries. We are reimagining energy—sustainably, circularly, and ethically.
Let’s power the planet responsibly.
Let’s build a battery economy that never ends.
Visit us at: Li-ion battery waste management
Originally published on: Google
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