Aviva is calling on businesses to take proactive steps in managing the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. Recent survey data reveals that these batteries are crucial to daily operations for 95% of businesses, with one-third (33%) of respondents labelling them as “essential” or “critical.”

However, the survey also highlights that many businesses are neglecting basic safety measures for handling, storing, charging, and disposing of lithium-ion batteries. Alarming findings show that 45% of respondents do not conduct regular inspections for damage, 45% use non-certified chargers, and 46% admit to allowing batteries to overcharge.

Lithium-ion batteries are found in everyday devices like smartphones, laptops, tablets, power tools, e-bikes, and e-scooters and are increasingly essential in commercial environments. 

For example, they power portable tools on construction sites, battery-driven forklifts in warehouses, and fleets of electric vehicles for transport.

These batteries offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional options, and businesses clearly recognise their operational value. However, as Chris Andrews, Director of Aviva Risk Management Solutions (ARMS), notes, “this new technology doesn’t come without risks.”

Understanding the Risks of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries contain a mix of chemicals that can elevate fire risks, often due to physical damage, manufacturing defects, unauthorised modifications, or improper charging. 

These issues can trigger “thermal runaway”—an uncontrollable rise in temperature that can result in fires that are difficult to control or extinguish.

Charging practices also contribute to battery-related risks. About half of respondents report using certified chargers (55%) and avoiding overcharging (54%). Fewer businesses ensure that charging areas are well-ventilated (42%) or non-flammable (38%).

Proper Disposal and Training Are Essential

Because of the risks, lithium-ion batteries should not be thrown away in regular trash or recycled with other battery types. When disposing of lithium batteries, you should contact a professional team to ensure safe protocols take place.

At Lithium Cycle, we specialise in collecting and recycling lithium batteries for businesses, ensuring safe and secure disposal methods. With our help, businesses can ensure they are acting safely whilst following UK regulations and guidelines surrounding battery waste.

Solidion Technology Advancement Achieves Full Charges In As Little As 5 minutes

Solidion Technology, a leader in advanced battery technology, has announced a major advancement in battery design, enabling a wide array of lithium batteries to achieve full charges in as little as 5 minutes—without the high costs often associated with such innovations. The business aims to bring this groundbreaking technology to market within the next two to three years.

A persistent obstacle in the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has been “range anxiety”—the concern that an EV might run out of battery power mid-trip, especially since recharging generally takes far longer than fueling a traditional gasoline car. This concern is intensified by the longer charging times required at lower temperatures.

In response, Solidion’s engineering team has developed and patented a unique system and method that allows rapid charging of battery cells or packs under any weather condition. This new approach protects the battery, providing a safe operational mode that minimises the risk of thermal runaway.

How Does The System Work?

The system centres around a graphene-based heat spreader that facilitates rapid heating of the battery during the charging process. It also incorporates a cooling component that activates while the battery is powering a device, such as an EV. 

This dynamic switching between heating and cooling during charging and discharging improves battery safety and performance. Graphene, with its exceptionally high thermal conductivity (5,300 W/m-K), far outperforms traditional materials like copper, which is both less efficient at 410 W/m-K and significantly heavier.

Who Are Solidion Technology?

Solidion Technology specialises in the production of advanced battery materials and next-generation batteries for applications across land, air, and sea. The company is recognised globally for its innovation in high-capacity anodes and solid-state battery technologies. 

Solidion’s batteries promise extended EV range, enhanced safety, cost efficiency, and an environmentally conscious approach by using sulphur and other readily available materials instead of costly nickel and cobalt.

We Recycle Lithium EV Batteries

At Lithium Cycle, we are dedicated to the responsible recycling of lithium EV batteries. By repurposing valuable materials such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt, we reduce waste and minimise the need for new raw materials, contributing to a cleaner, circular economy. 

Our reuse and recycling process not only helps meet the growing demand for lithium but also supports environmental stewardship by reducing the carbon footprint of battery production. Our team aims to make EV technology more sustainable from production through end-of-life, ensuring that each battery produced can contribute positively to a greener future.

5 – 19 Million Tons of Lithium Found In Southern Arkansas

A significant discovery of lithium in Arkansas has recently garnered attention due to its potential to transform the lithium supply chain. 

It is said that there may be 5.1 million to 19 million tons of lithium in the Smackover Formation brines in southern Arkansas, said researchers at the United States Geological Survey. This number was calculated using a machine-learning model and geological information that predicted maps of lithium concentration.

The discovery, if recoverable, could far exceed the projected world demand for EV batteries in 2030.

“We estimate there is enough dissolved lithium present in that region to replace U.S. imports of lithium and more,” said Katherine Knierim, a hydrologist and the study’s principal researcher.

Lithium Demand and Arkansas Findings: What Does This Mean?

The increasing demand for lithium, driven primarily by the rise of electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, has intensified the search for local sources of this crucial element. 

Currently, most lithium is sourced from countries like Australia and Chile, and the U.S. is heavily reliant on imports. However, the discovery in Arkansas could reduce U.S. dependence on foreign lithium and provide a critical domestic source for battery production.

Arkansas’ lithium is found in brine reservoirs deep underground. Companies like Standard Lithium are pioneering direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies, which are seen as more sustainable because they use existing brine-processing infrastructure while reducing land disturbance and water usage​.

We Recycle Lithium Batteries For Businesses

As the global demand for lithium surges, recycling lithium-ion batteries has become an essential component of sustainable energy practices. Recycling can reduce pressure on lithium supply, minimise waste, and support the growing battery demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. 

Many businesses are stepping up efforts to recycle old batteries, recognising the importance of closing the loop on this critical resource.

This recent discovery and the subsequent developments could position Arkansas as a key player in the future of lithium supply, particularly in the race to meet the needs of the electric vehicle market.

As global industries continue to push for clean energy solutions, advancements in battery technology play a pivotal role in the transition toward a sustainable future. 

One of the most groundbreaking innovations is solid-state battery technology. Unlike the conventional liquid-state lithium-ion batteries that have dominated the energy storage space for decades, solid-state batteries promise greater efficiency.

Solid-state battery applications in the electric vehicle sector are forecast to grow exponentially in the next decade, reaching a market size of 4.3 billion U.S. dollars by 2032.

What Are Solid-State Batteries?

Solid-state batteries are a next-generation energy storage solution that replaces the liquid or gel electrolytes found in conventional lithium-ion batteries with a solid electrolyte. This seemingly small change has profound impacts on the performance and safety of the battery.

Key characteristics of solid-state batteries include:

• Increased Energy Density: Solid-state batteries can hold more energy in the same space compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. This means longer-lasting power for devices such as electric vehicles (EVs) and consumer electronics.
• Improved Safety: The use of a solid electrolyte reduces the risk of leakage and overheating, which are significant safety concerns with lithium-ion batteries that use flammable liquid electrolytes.
• Extended Battery Life: Due to reduced degradation over time, solid-state batteries could potentially last much longer than their lithium-ion counterparts, making them more durable and cost-effective in the long run.

Solid-State and Lithium Batteries

One of the most significant differences between conventional lithium-ion and solid-state batteries is the composition of materials used. While lithium is still a crucial component in solid-state batteries, other materials, such as advanced ceramics or glass electrolytes, may also be integrated into the design.

Solid-state batteries are designed to last longer and degrade more slowly than traditional lithium-ion batteries. This extended lifespan will lead to longer intervals between battery replacements, potentially reducing the volume of battery waste generated annually. While this could reduce short-term demand for recycling, it could lead to more valuable materials being recovered when solid-state batteries eventually reach the end of their life cycle.