Honda is now able to recycle materials from hybrid batteries

Honda has developed processes that allow it to recycle the rare-earth minerals from nickel-hydrogen batteries. This is a significant step as the ability to recycle materials from hybrid vehicle batteries will help reduce production costs with the benefit of lowering the overall cost of such vehicles and also address concerns over supplies of the rare-earths. This step will also address some of the criticisms of the environmental factors with regard to hybrid vehicles batteries, due to the previous inability
March 6, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
2288 Honda has developed processes that allow it to recycle the rare-earth minerals from nickel-hydrogen batteries. This is a significant step as the ability to recycle materials from hybrid vehicle batteries will help reduce production costs with the benefit of lowering the overall cost of such vehicles and also address concerns over supplies of the rare-earths. This step will also address some of the criticisms of the environmental factors with regard to hybrid vehicles batteries, due to the previous inability to recycle the rare-earth materials. Honda’s rare-earth material recycling programme is being carried out in partnership with Japan Metals & Chemical and will be based at the latter firm’s Oguni Works plant in Yamagata Prefecture. The process will allow 99% of the collected rare-earth substances to be purified using a combination of acid and heat. The Oguni Works will be able to recycle 80% of rare-earth substances from 1,000 used batteries/month. Honda is planning to increase recycling of hybrid vehicle batteries from Europe and the US, and extend the rare-earth recycling process to permanent magnet components used in the electric motors.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Volvo CE’s Carl Slotte explains the division’s current line-up
    October 11, 2017
    Next year Volvo CE will be testing electric, hybrid and autonomous vehicles in a quarry. Carl Slotte, head of sales for EMEA, says no company by itself will win market share. David Arminas reports from Germany The driver of the charter bus stood outside the hotel in Trier, Germany, and waved at a passing local city bus. “I know the driver,” he told one of the assembled journalists waiting for the group’s ride to the nearby Volvo CE plant. “He is retired but they brought him back because young people th
    Read More
  • Asphalt plant innovations coming to market
    April 27, 2015
    A series of new advances in asphalt plant design are now coming to market - Mike Woof writes Key innovations in asphalt plant designs from major manufacturers will offer clients reductions in running costs along with gains in quality control and output. Several of the leading manufacturers are introducing new models that will deliver efficiency gains, as well as options for greater mobility and/or versatility. Swiss-based Ammann is introducing two new mobile plants, the EcoBatch and QuickBatch models,
    Read More
  • The Preston Western Distributor
    September 7, 2023
    Costain, as main contractor for the Preston Western Distributor project, was involved from the earliest stages, thanks to the UK’s Early Contractor Involvement approach. The project was delivered on time and on budget to the benefit of the local environment, local businesses and the region’s workforce. David Arminas reports*
    Read More
  • Hydrogen fuel option planned for California
    May 13, 2014
    A major innovation for California will be the wider availability of hydrogen as a ‘green’ fuel source for motor vehicles. Plans are in hand with the establishment of FirstElement Fuel, a retail hydrogen fuelling start-up business, being part-funded by automotive giant Toyota Motor. FirstElement Fuel is headed by former marketing chief of General Motors Joel Ewanick and is receiving US$7.2 million of funding from Toyota. The funding from Toyota will help with construction of hydrogen fuel stations through th
    Read More

Highlighted Content