Perspective of lithium-ion battery recycling pathway considering carbon footprint and economic performance based on life cycle assessment

Author First name, Last name, Institution

• Nabeel Al-Qirim, Zayed UniversityFollow
• Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
• Hussam Al Hamadi, University of Dubai
• A. K.M.Ahasan Habib, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
• Shayla Islam, UCSI University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Journal of Energy Storage

Publication Date

12-15-2026

Abstract

The prospect of a significant volume of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) over the next decade is both concerning and important, given how quickly society is becoming electrified. Assessing recycling processes is a vital component of sustainable resource management and development goals. Utilizing the resources already present in spent batteries is crucial to meeting the demand for raw materials in battery manufacturing. Recycling spent electric vehicle (EV) LIBs is an environmentally friendly approach to managing recyclables, but it presents decision-making challenges. We present a case study that optimizes retired battery treatment pathways to improve economic and environmental performance using a process-oriented life cycle assessment approach. During the end-of-life (EoL) phase, hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical, and direct recycling are assessed, with battery residual values considered. For Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) batteries, direct recycling yields profits ranging from $11.01 to $22.99/kWh, while hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical recycling yield profits of -$8.31 to $2.66 and -$8.59 to $2.41/kWh, respectively. Hydrometallurgical recycling generates the highest profit from lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. The carbon footprint estimates for an EV battery range from 49.2 to 81.1 kg CO2eq/kWh, depending on the EoL treatment. Our approach includes an easy-to-use assessment for identifying the best routes for decommissioned spent EV batteries.

DOI Link

10.1016/j.est.2026.124499

ISSN

2352-152X

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Volume

181

Disciplines

Engineering

Keywords

Carbon footprint, Economic performance, Life cycle assessment, Lithium-ion battery recycling, Material recycling

Scopus ID

105049058839

Recommended Citation

Al-Qirim, Nabeel; Hasan, Mohammad Kamrul; Al Hamadi, Hussam; Habib, A. K.M.Ahasan; and Islam, Shayla, "Perspective of lithium-ion battery recycling pathway considering carbon footprint and economic performance based on life cycle assessment" (2026). All Works. 8418.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/8418

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no