CeNTI -

Automotive & Aeronautics

CarMine

Recovery of Critical and Strategic Raw Materials from End-of-Life Electric Vehicles

The CarMine project aims to develop an integrated strategy for the recovery, recycling and valorisation of critical and strategic raw materials from end-of-life (EOL) electric vehicles (EVs), contributing to a more circular and resilient value chain for the sector.

The approach focuses on the dismantling and processing of batteries and electric motors, particularly their permanent magnets, with the aim of recovering raw materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements. The recovered materials may be reintegrated into the production of new materials and products, with their performance assessed and benchmarked against that of virgin raw materials.

CarMine also integrates traceability and data management solutions through the Digital Product Passport, promoting transparency and regulatory compliance throughout the materials' life cycle. The project also includes the assessment of the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the processes developed.

In this way, it aims to contribute to reducing dependence on virgin raw materials, strengthening security of supply and European industrial autonomy, and promoting circularity across value chains associated with electric vehicles.

CarMine

Main Goals/Activities

  • Improve the dismantling and separation of EOL-EV batteries and motors.

  • Improve the efficiency of battery and magnet recycling processes, maximising the recovery of critical raw materials.

  • Develop solutions for the collection, management and traceability of data on recovered materials, including through the Digital Product Passport.

  • Assess the environmental, economic and social sustainability and circularity of the solutions developed, using LCA, LCC, TEA and S-LCA methodologies. 
  • Produce and validate final materials and products up to Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 6–7.

  • Improve and demonstrate the safety of dismantling, recovery and recycling processes.

  • Assess the application and exploitation potential of the technologies developed, including for other recycling streams.

  • Contribute to the development of standards and best practices for the circular recovery and recycling of critical raw materials.
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With support of:

Consortium:

CeNTI VEOLIA Gestão de Resíduos Portugal Magneti Ljubljana SARP INDUSTRIES SINTEF INEGI UNE - Asociación Española de Normalización CIRCULARISE LNEG Battery Cluster Portugal Magellan Circle