The extracted battery powder contains nickel, cobalt and lithium — critical components for lithium-ion batteries.

　　“After further refinement by hydrometallurgical technology, these metals like nickel and cobalt can be reused in producing new batteries,“ said Xia Mingyuan, the company's general manager.

　　Traditional battery recycling methods require at least seven days of discharge treatment before crushing — a process prone to creating pollution.

　　To address this, the facility in Hedong district has developed an innovative system that crushes charged batteries safely by using nitrogen protection and instant pyrolysis, making recycling faster and cleaner.

　　Wang Delong, another deputy general manager at the company, said that the facility's system continuously injects nitrogen into the processing equipment, with sensors automatically adjusting levels to maintain oxygen concentration below 5 percent. “This effectively prevents battery combustion,“ he said.

　　Although retired EV batteries often retain 70-80 percent of their capacity, enabling secondary uses like electric tricycles and tools, their ultimate dismantling and recycling are imperative.

　　“Previously, these batteries in Shandong had to be transported to recycling facilities in southern China for crushing and reprocessing, incurring substantial costs and safety risks during transit,“ said Yang Yang, deputy secretary-general of the Shandong power battery recycling association.

　　Bolstered by robust local government support, the project was integrated into Shandong's green, low-carbon, high-quality development agenda, facilitating swift approval and production within a mere three months in Linyi.

　　Plans are underway to introduce five additional production lines for future expansion alongside the existing operational dry-process line.