LANXESS has introduced Lewatit MK 51, an ion exchange resin designed to refine battery metals by selectively removing boron from metal concentrates. This development aims to support the growing battery industry by enabling the production of high-purity raw materials essential for battery manufacturing.
Unlike solvent extraction methods, ion exchange technology eliminates the need for environmentally hazardous and flammable solvents. This approach allows for more sustainable operations while reducing infrastructure costs, as facilities using ion exchange do not require explosion protection measures. Additionally, these plants can be built with a more compact design.
The demand for high-purity battery metals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt is critical for manufacturing high-performance batteries with enhanced energy density and longevity. However, during ore mining, these metals are often contaminated with boron, which must be removed to ensure the required purity levels.
Ion exchange technology also plays a role in improving resource efficiency and sustainability. Ore processing involves significant water consumption, from cleaning raw materials to extracting pure metals. Recovering and separating metal ions from wastewater is crucial for both economic and environmental reasons.
LANXESS states that Lewatit ion exchange resins can also be applied to remove by-products such as zinc from nickel and cobalt electrolytes or cobalt from nickel salt solutions. The extracted metal ions are concentrated on the resin, allowing for further processing or recovery from wastewater streams.