US DOE provides USD 63m for battery recycling, smart manufacturing

The US Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday said it is making up to USD 63 million (EUR 58.4m) available to help state and local governments expand battery recycling and modernise manufacturing by improving small- and medium-sized manufacturers’ (SMMs) access to smart technologies like advanced sensors and modeling.

“The funding announced today will equip small- and medium-sized manufacturers with cutting edge technologies to improve operations efficiency and expand battery recycling, removing barriers to advancement and bolstering the nation’s competitive standing,” said US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.

The funding opportunity includes USD 41 million for the second phase of a total USD 50 million provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for battery recycling programmes at the state and local government levels. DOE is seeking proposals to create new or enhance existing battery collection, recycling and reprocessing projects. According to the department, collecting used batteries and recovering critical minerals like cobalt, lithium and graphite from battery recycling is a cost effective and sustainable method for sourcing domestic materials to produce more batteries.

The funding also includes USD 22 million towards the second phase of the USD-50-million State Manufacturing Leadership Programme. The first phase supported state programmes that will help over 3,500 SMMs implement smart manufacturing technologies and practices.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.927)

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