Professor Xi Chen Leads Breakthrough in Sustainable Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling
As the global demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy continues to grow, the sustainability of lithium-ion batteries has become a pressing concern. At the School of Energy and Environment (SEE), City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), Prof. Xi Chen, Assistant Professor, is leading pioneering research that demonstrates how recycling end‑of‑life batteries can dramatically reduce environmental impacts while ensuring a resilient supply of critical materials.
His study, titled “Life cycle comparison of industrial-scale lithium-ion battery recycling and mining supply chains”, was recently published in Nature Communications. The research provides compelling evidence that recycling lithium‑ion batteries can cut environmental burdens by more than half, offering a cleaner and more resource‑efficient alternative to raw material extraction.
The findings highlight that processing non‑energised battery scrap requires far less energy than traditional methods, while shifting from discrete salt products to mixed metal recovery can further reduce environmental impacts without compromising supply chain stability. Although electricity consumption accounts for the majority of energy use in recycling, the study shows that integrating renewable sources such as wind, solar, or nuclear power can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and water usage.
Reflecting on the broader implications of his work, Prof. Chen emphasised that recycling offers a clear pathway towards sustainability goals. He noted that scaling up recycling capacity and improving process efficiency are essential steps in meeting global demand for battery materials while protecting the environment. His perspectives have gained international recognition, including a recent interview with Time magazine where he discussed the future of lithium‑ion battery recycling and its role in advancing clean energy transitions.
For more details on this research and its global impact, please refer to the full news release published by CityUHK: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/media/news/2026/01/22/research-on-lithium-ion-battery-recycling