A team from the United States has presented a method to transform end-of-life electric vehicle batteries in field inputs. The proposal focuses on LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries and applies a ion exchange process which removes lithium and replaces it with potassium, converting the cathode material into a compound that can be used in agriculture.
Beyond the technical novelty, the idea seeks to fit into a circular economy that reduces costs and waste. In a context of dependence on imported fertilizers, its potential interest for Spain and Europe lies in making LFP recycling cheaper and strengthening the resilience of the agri-food chain.
How the process works
The key is to apply a ion exchange to the cathodes of LFP batteries. In a solution rich in potassium salts, lithium is extracted and replaced by potassium, so that the phosphate in the active material becomes potassium phosphate, an ingredient with agronomic value.
With this step, the phosphorus already present in the LFP is preserved and the potassium is incorporated during treatment. Nitrogen can then be added to formulate a fertilizer type NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), thus using three essential nutrients in agriculture.
Another advantage is operational: by starting from already "processed" materials, the method avoids high-temperature furnaces and reduces intensive chemical steps. This reduces the energy required compared to traditional recycling routes, especially in LFP chemistries with low salvage value of metals.
- Take advantage of existing phosphorus in the battery and adds potassium in a targeted manner.
- Allows integrate nitrogen to complete the NPK formulation.
- Reduce thermal and chemical steps compared to conventional processes.
- Guides recycling towards a direct utility product in the countryside.
Who is driving the research and at what stage is it?
The work is led by the professor Deyang Qu at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), with the participation of researcher Soad ShajidThe initiative has the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and internal funding of innovation from UWM.
After validating the concept in the laboratory, the next step is to scale up and carry out a field trial with tomato crops on approximately one hectare, considering systems of drip irrigationIf the agronomic performance equals or exceeds that of conventional fertilizers, the door would be opened to collaborations with industry players.
The Wisconsin location provides a combination of industrial infrastructure and agricultural infrastructure that facilitates the jump to pilot plant. At the same time, the project is emerging as a generator of green job and capabilities in advanced recycling and applied chemistry.
What would it mean for Spain and Europe?
The European Union faces a double challenge: managing the future volume of lithium ion batteries at the end of their useful life and reduce their exposure to volatile agricultural nutrient markets. A process that converts LFP into fertilizer could fit into the policies of circular economy and waste recovery.
For Spain, with a strategic agri-food sector, initiatives of this type could help diversify supply of nutrients and shorten the logistics chain. In addition, the network of automotive clusters, ports and logistics platforms would facilitate the capture of LFP batteries and their processing near agricultural hubs.
Adoption would require analyzing regulatory and environmental compatibilities in the EU, as well as its fit with the regulations of fertilizer products and battery waste management objectives. In any case, the option of producing fertilizers locally from waste streams It is especially attractive in periods of geopolitical tension.
Challenges, costs and regulation
The potential of this route comes with challenges. It will have to be demonstrated. competitive costs Compared to alternatives, it guarantees the agronomic quality of the product and ensures strict control of impurities. The consistency of the feed material (different LFP battery designs) is also a key factor.
From a regulatory standpoint, any battery-derived fertilizer must comply with safety standards and traceability. On an industrial scale, the logistics of battery collection, dismantling, and pretreatment require coordination between waste managers, manufacturers, and operators. agroindustrial.
In parallel, it will be crucial to compare the complete environmental balance: energy consumed, avoided emissions regarding thermal recycling, and benefits from replacing imported fertilizers. These metrics will allow us to assess their real contribution to climate and circularity goals.
If large-scale tests confirm the initial results, this technology could unite two traditionally separate worlds, that of electric mobility and that of the countryside, transforming a waste that is difficult to recover into a useful and local input. The combination of technical feasibility, aligned regulation, and efficient logistics chains will define its path in Spain and the rest of Europe.
