Critical raw materials

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Cobalt

The metal that stabilises layered-oxide cathodes, mined largely in the Democratic Republic of Congo under scrutiny for working conditions. Its price and ethics have driven the industry from LCO and NMC111 towards high-nickel and cobalt-free LFP.

EU Battery Regulation

The European law, in force since 2023, that governs batteries over their whole life: carbon-footprint declarations, recycled-content minimums, due diligence on raw materials, performance and durability requirements, removability, the battery passport and collection and recycling targets.

Lithium carbonate

The commodity form in which most lithium is traded and the lithium source for LFP and mid-nickel cathodes. Lithium carbonate equivalent, LCE, is the unit the industry uses to count lithium supply whatever its chemical form.

Natural graphite

Graphite mined as flake, then milled, spheroidised and coated for use as a negative active material. It is cheaper than synthetic graphite and has slightly higher capacity, with more variability between sources.

Battery recycling

Recovering lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper and aluminium from end-of-life cells and production scrap. Scrap is today’s main feedstock; vehicle returns will dominate in the 2030s, and regulation now sets minimum recovery rates.

References & further reading

Further reading on this topic

These sources provide broader context; they are not presented as citations for every statement in this entry.

1. Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 concerning batteries and waste batteries

   European Union / EUR-Lex · 2023

   Topic background · Battery sustainability, information, waste management and battery passport provisions. Consult the current consolidated text and applicable implementing acts.