06/11/2026
LiCORNE brings its lithium recovery and refining progress to Battery Innovation Days 2026
Recovering lithium from spodumene, lithium-bearing mica, geothermal brines or off-specification cathode materials involves very different processing challenges. Developing and testing suitable technologies for these resources is at the centre of LiCORNE’s work.
On 11 November 2026, LiCORNE will share its latest progress at Battery Innovation Days in Stockholm, during a session dedicated to the role of mining, refining and recycling in the circular battery value chain.
The project will be represented by its coordinator, Álvaro Manjón Fernández from TECNALIA Research & Innovation, who will also present results from the RHINOCEROS project.
LiCORNE is developing processes to support European lithium production from both primary and secondary sources, with the aim of increasing the region’s capacity to process and refine lithium into battery-grade chemicals.
The project has progressed from laboratory investigations towards three pilot routes, exploring different extraction, separation and purification technologies.
Among the preliminary results reported at Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL 5):
- a lithium recovery yield of 83.7% achieved in work led by NTUA, using water instead of harsh solvents and operating at temperatures approximately 200°C below those of conventional processes.
- a 70% yield in adsorption-based purification steps developed by VITO, using a setup with a treatment capacity of 20 litres per day.
- a 79% lithium extraction yield achieved by TECNALIA during pilot operation, compared with a 68% laboratory result.
These results relate to different process routes and operating conditions. Further optimisation and validation activities are ongoing.
LiCORNE’s participation in Battery Innovation Days will take place through the Cluster Hub “Materials for Batteries from European Resources”, which facilitates exchanges between EU-funded projects working on complementary aspects of battery materials production and recovery.
During the session “Which Place for Mining, Refining, and Recycling in the Circular Life of Batteries?”, Álvaro will provide an overview of work from LiCORNE and other Cluster Hub projects, including RHINOCEROS, GR4FITE3, CICERO, LITHOS, EXCEED and INERRANT.
Although these initiatives address different materials and processing technologies, they face common questions around process efficiency, resource availability, technology upscaling and industrial applicability. The Cluster Hub provides opportunities to exchange practical experience on these issues and strengthen connections between research organisations and industry.
© visual: Battery Innovation days 2026 LinkedIn account