Background Lithium ion batteries, mainly produced in Asia, are used to power many kinds of electronic equipment, including mobile phones, portable computers, cameras and toys. Spent batteries represent a fast-growing stream of waste, totalling 4 000 tonnes in 2005. This waste includes 1 100 tons of heavy metal, particularly dangerous for public health and environment, and 200 tonnes of toxic electrolytes. To date, no factories in continental Europe have developed an appropriate recycling technology. The consumption of electronic goods is expanding continuously through developments in technology and models. The beneficiary estimates an average renewal every three years for mobile phones powered by lithium ion batteries alone. The average family has at least three mobile phones. When changing equipment, the batteries often remain in drawers rather than going through the collection channels. There is therefore the danger of them finishing in the dump or in an incinerator. While lithium ion batteries are not the most powerful on the market, they present several dangers: they may become explosive, due to the instability of certain components, if they are not stored properly, and their electrolytic components (LiPF6, dimethylcarbonate C3O3H6, etc.) are toxic. Furthermore, the urgency of a change in European legislation appears through a revision of Directive 91/157/EEC to encourage better waste management with a view to recycling. Objectives The aim of the project was to demonstrate the feasibility on a pre-industrial scale of a technique for recycling lithium ion batteries. The technique has already been tested in a laboratory. Though lithium ion batteries are mainly produced in Asia, one of their principal destinations is Europe. It is fitting therefore that a new technology for treating these products reaching the end of service life should be developed in Europe. The LIFE project, Reclionbat, addressed the current absence of treatment channels. Results The Reclionbat project achieved interesting results that will help develop a recycling process chain for lithium ion batteries. Its main result was to set up the parameters for the pyrolyse of the batteries. This stage consisted in heating up the batteries in order to separate by grinding and sifting the different elements (copper, iron and smaller compounds). The smaller compounds are then treated chemically in order to extract cobalt and nickel mainly, as they are present in large quantities in the batteries and they are marketable according to the actual prices. The beneficiary and its partners approached different cobalt and nickel users to establish enough potential clients to start the recycling activity. The beneficiary approached the authorities in Viviez (Aveyron, France) in order to prepare the required permits which are necessary for carrying out such activities. The goal for the new facility would be to recycle 3 000 tonnes annually. This would employ 10 to 15 extra people but it would not be operational before three to five years because of the time necessary to acquire the appropriate permits and to set up the process line. The beneficiary plans to treat 1 000 tonnes per year. If the dimensions are respected, such an output would create seven to ten new jobs. This installation will be located in Viviez near Decazeville (Aveyron), which has suffered following the closing of the mines. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).