Dive summary:
- A new facility in Florence, S.C. has been designed to combat the rising concern of what to do with old batteries from hybrid vehicles by being able to recycle up to 14 million automobile batteries a year.
- Johnson Controls constructed the facility, and is also responsible for the manufacturing of many of the vehicle batteries which will eventually be recycled in the new facility.
- Johnson Controls officials have not said yet if they will also be recycling li-ion packs, the newest battery put into hybrid cars, but since the batteries have many years of service yet before they expire, it is not a pressing issue.
From the article:
For companies such as Johnson Controls, Inc., there are opportunities to be had supplying advanced batteries for hybrids and electric vehicles. But where do all those advanced lithium batteries – and the older ones being pulled out today's hybrids – end up? Regulators, environmentalists and media want to know. With that in mind, opening a new battery recycling facility can be a smart move.
Johnson Controls has opened up its Recycling Center in Florence, SC, dedicated to automotive batteries. Located directly off US-76, on Paper Mill Road, the facility will recycle 132,000 metric tons per year. That's the equivalent of around 14 million vehicle batteries. Since the center is open now, we have to assume that number means today's 12V lead acid batteries. There is no hint that this center will one day recycle li-ion packs, but since these batteries have many years of service left in vehicles – and then, potentially, more time in stationary applications – it's kind of too early to be talking about that service anyway. ...
