With the surge in industrial automation, a "retirement wave" of AGV batteries has arrived. How do you handle these "chemical energy packs" safely and legally while recovering value? Here is the breakdown.
While Lithium batteries do not contain highly toxic heavy metals like mercury or cadmium, their impact is still significant if mishandled:
Soil and Water Contamination: Electrolytes (such as Lithium Hexafluorophosphate, $LiPF_6$) can leak and react with water to produce corrosive hydrofluoric acid ($HF$), acidifying soil and contaminating groundwater.
Resource Waste: Metals like Lithium, Cobalt, and Nickel are rare. Recovering these from 1 ton of old batteries is far more efficient than mining equivalent amounts of raw ore.
Ecological Disruption: Leaked chemicals can bioaccumulate through the food chain, eventually impacting human health.
Yes—and recovery rates are now exceeding 95%!
Material Extraction: Through shredding, sorting, and hydrometallurgical processes, materials like aluminum foil, copper foil, cobalt, nickel, and lithium can be recovered in a "closed-loop" to manufacture new batteries.
Second-Life Use: If your AGV battery capacity has dropped to around 70%, it may no longer suit high-intensity forklift tasks but can be repurposed for stationary energy storage systems (e.g., solar power storage) or low-speed utility vehicles.
By 2026, battery recycling has shifted from "voluntary" to a "mandatory responsibility":
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Most leading AGV manufacturers and battery suppliers now offer official buy-back programs.
Third-Party Recycling Platforms: Specialized professional agencies provide quotes based on the battery’s State of Health (SOH) and metal content.
Trade-In Schemes: Many suppliers allow you to trade in old batteries for credit toward new AGVs, which is often the most cost-effective path for enterprises.
Old batteries are potential fire starters and can easily lead to Thermal Runaway if mishandled.
Insulation: You must seal the positive and negative terminals with non-conductive tape to prevent short circuits caused by metal contact.
Segregated Storage: Never mix old lithium batteries with flammable materials like cardboard or oils.
Environmental Control: Keep the storage area cool, dry, and away from direct sunlight. It must be equipped with specialized Class D fire extinguishers or sand buckets designed for lithium fires.
Hazardous Waste Identification: Old batteries are classified as Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods. Transport must be handled by entities with hazardous waste licenses using specialized explosion-proof containers.
No Standard Courier: It is strictly prohibited to ship damaged, swollen, or leaking batteries via standard logistics or postal services.
Chinese
English
