The global push for sustainable energy has sparked a revolution in lithium - ion battery recycling, with advanced
sorting technologies leading the charge. Traditional recycling methods struggle with low efficiency, but new
optical sorters and
color sorting machines are changing the game.
These innovative systems use
XRT (X - ray transmission) sorters—a cutting - edge type of
optical sorter—to identify battery materials by density and composition. Unlike basic
color sorters that only detect color, XRT models can separate lithium - rich cathode materials from other components with 95% accuracy. This not only boosts lithium recovery rates but also reduces waste.
Leading recycling firms, such as Australia’s Li - Cycle, have adopted
AI - powered color sorting machines. These machines learn from data to adapt to different battery types, from smartphone batteries to electric vehicle packs. The result is faster sorting speeds—up to 2 tons of battery scrap per hour—and lower energy consumption compared to old - fashioned methods.
Another breakthrough is
multi - spectral sorters. They combine color, near - infrared, and X - ray data to spot even tiny traces of lithium. This level of precision is crucial as demand for lithium grows, making battery recycling more profitable and sustainable.
