EU project to recover critical raw materials from EV batteries

CarMine, a European Horizon Europe project worth about €8.63 million, officially launched on 24 September in Vila Nova de Famalicão, coordinated by CeNTI. Running from September 2026 to August 2030, it aims to recover lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements from end-of-life electric vehicle batteries and motors, reprocessing them into materials comparable to virgin ones. The project involves 11 partner organisations covering dismantling, recycling, manufacturing and digital traceability, including a Digital Product Passport tracking recovered materials' origin. It seeks to cut waste, reduce environmental impact and lower Europe's dependence on external raw material supplies.