Lead Acid Recycling Advantage
Lead Acid Battery Recycling Advantage
Unlike other battery chemistries, all major components of a lead acid battery (lead, plastic, and electrolyte) can be recycled and reused to make new batteries. They are the most recycled product in the world with an enviable 99% recycling rate.
Recylability: Lead Acid vs Lithium
Currently 99 out of 100 lead acid batteries are recycled, compared with 5 out of 100 lithium (Based on reports by the International Energy Agency and US Department of Energy).
80% of the materials to produce a new lead acid cell come from up to 99% of recycled materials. Lithium is significantly less.
Lead-acid: 95-99% Recyclable
Lithium-ion: 5-20% Recyclable
Water Usage: Lead Acid vs Lithium
It takes 500,000 gallons of water (1,892,705 liters) to produce 1 metric ton of recycled lithium. The same metric ton of recycled lead consumes only 600 gallons (source: Ecobat).
Lead recycling processes are optimized and closed-loop, minimizing water discharge. More than 80% of lead used globally comes from recycling. Recycling requires less water and less energy compared to mining virgin lead.
Lithium is water-intensive and eco-sensitive. Up to 2,400 liters of water is used per 1kWh worth of lithium from brine. Extraction relies on large evaporation ponds that consume surface and underground water. Environmental concerns include lowering of freshwater tables, stress on local communities and biodiversity as well as alteration of fragile wetlands and salt flats ecosystems.
Water requirements for lead recycling
Water requirements for lithium recycling
Carbon Footprint (CO2 Emission): Lead Acid vs Lithium
On average QUASAR™ lead acid batteries will have 3X lower carbon footprint than lithium batteries.
CO2 impact for production includes extraction of materials and actual production and formation of batteries. Lead Acid batteries made with recycled lead is significantly less impactful.
Li-ion NMC200kg CO1-eq./kWh
Li-ion LFP 150 kg CO2-eq./kWh
Lead Acid made of recyled lead 58 kg CO2-eq./kWh
The CO2 impact of recycling 1 KWh battery using pyrometallurgical process is:
Lead Acid, 4.6206.93 CO2-eq
Lithium Ion, 19.8-20.3kg CO2-eq
Kg of CO2 eq./kWh
Lithium mining impacts carbon footprint
Lead recyclability reduces CO2 impact
Other Environmental Advantages to Lead Batteries
Low Energy Usage: Recycling lead requires significantly less energy compared to extracting and refining raw materials for other battery types.
Established Infrastructure: A well-developed global network exists for collecting and recycling lead-acid batteries, further enhancing efficiency.
Abundant Resources: Lead is widely available and cost-effective to mine compared to critical materials like lithium or cobalt.
Lower Environmental Impact: Mining and processing lead requires fewer resources and less water than lithium-ion battery production.
Robust Design: Lead-acid batteries are durable and perform well in extreme temperatures, reducing the frequency of replacements.
Reliable for Standby Applications: Their ability to last for years in backup power systems adds to their sustainability.
Energy Storage: Lead-acid batteries store solar and wind energy effectively, supporting renewable energy adoption.
Non-Flammable: Unlike lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries are less prone to thermal runaway and fires.
Minimal Energy Use During Production: Compared to newer technologies like lithium-ion, lead-acid batteries require less energy to produce.
Shorter Supply Chains: Many lead-acid battery components are sourced and recycled locally, reducing transportation emissions.
No Scarce Materials: Unlike lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries do not rely on rare earth elements or conflict minerals.
