On September 12th, many people attended the Battery Summit held at the Tokyo Academy of Sciences. This symposium differs from academic conferences that merely present and discuss the results of research, and it is also not a business seminar solely promoting business opportunities and attractiveness. It is, so to speak, a fusion symposium. The participants included scholars, researchers, executives, entrepreneurs, trading company representatives (both men and women), students, and even amateurs like me. The event featured in-depth lectures and active Q&A sessions, and the event, including the subsequent networking session, concluded successfully. Below are my reflections on the event.

1. Establishment of the Fukuoka Prefecture Green EV Battery Resource Recycling Council - From Local to Global

Takahashi Nakamura, Director of Fukuoka Prefecture Recycling Comprehensive Business Center, Emeritus Professor of Tohoku University

This was essentially an introduction to Fukuoka Prefecture’s battery recycling business, but it could be considered the Keynote Speech that provided an overview of the entire symposium. Promoting recycling businesses requires both laboratory research and on-site efforts, like two wheels of a cart. Mr. Nakamura is a rare individual who has demonstrated leadership in both aspects. His presentation focused on the current state of the business and the prospects for the future – or rather, the challenges Japan faces.

Due to the construction of a battery plant by a major automobile manufacturer in Fukuoka Prefecture, the battery recycling business for EVs and HVs is gaining traction in the region. However, the initiative is still in its early stages, and the true success of the business lies ahead. That said, this is not unique to Japan. Looking globally, no country has yet successfully commercialized the circular use of LIBs.

The recycling of EVs will only begin in earnest after a considerable time lag from when EVs start becoming widespread. Countries have not yet reached that stage, and in Japan’s case in particular, the spread of EVs itself is barely underway. Currently, the composition of new vehicle sales is as follows: 54.0% hybrids, 36.8% gasoline vehicles, 5.5% diesel vehicles, 2.0% plug-in hybrids, and 1.7% EVs. Under such circumstances, the recycling of LIBs from EVs is not yet a practical issue. Whether EVs will dominate in Japan in the future is still up for debate. Furthermore, according to Professor Nakamura, about half of EVs are expected to use inexpensive but low-performance lithium iron phosphate batteries, which raises concerns about the amount of recoverable Lithium and Cobalt.

However, if things remain as they are, the recovered black mass and used EVs themselves will leak out of the country, posing a significant problem from an economic security perspective. We must recognize the urgency of this situation.

Several issues need to be addressed. For one, there is no established system for properly evaluating the remaining performance of used LIBs in the recycling process. Moreover, there is the issue that no one wants to take on the task of “removal and recovery” from scrapped vehicles. This reluctance is understandable to some extent, as it is the dirtiest and most arduous work. The greatest concern, however, is that batteries themselves, used EVs as export products, and black mass will be exported, leaving no resources in Japan.

According to Professor Nakamura, “resource circulation is like a game of sevens.” This analogy is apt; even if all the cards are aligned, without a card to connect to the seven, the game cannot progress. How can we establish a seamless system—this is the question. Will it be government-led, or will the companies gathered at this venue rise to the challenge with determination? This is something to watch. Looking abroad, the actions of companies like Redwood Materials in the U.S., which is blocking Chinese products under the IRA, are of concern. Many of these projects will become competitive among countries.

Naturally, the establishment and commercialization of a lithium-ion battery (LiB) recycling system is a competitive race, and Japan cannot afford to lag behind. It is imperative that many people become aware of this “imminent crisis.” I believe this was the key point that Professor Nakamura aimed to emphasize.

(Continued in the next issue)

(Related Article)

The 10th Battery Summit: A Powerful Uplift!

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Toshi Kuze (Que sais-je)

Residing in Ibaraki Prefecture, in his late 60s. Part of the generation that reminisces about the Showa era. Studied vibration engineering and ergonomics in university and graduate school, worked in steel solidification during his time at a steel plant, and after retiring, returned to graduate school to study comparative literature between Japanese and Chinese. Still a learner to this day. Spent about 20 years at a steel plant, and during that time, as well as after, lived in the U.S., U.K., and China. These writings are based on memories and trivia from those times.

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