The ABB FIA Formula E Championship has announced a partnership with Belgian materials technology and recycling group Umicore to recycle the Li-ion battery units and cells used during the first two seasons of the racing series.

The batteries from Formula E’s first two seasons, which were built by Williams Advanced Engineering, have been collected and are in the process of being recycled by Umicore.

The battery packs will be dismantled and the valuable metals recovered, using Umicore’s proprietary closed-loop process, which includes hydrometallurgical treatment. The metals will be transformed into alloys that can be used in new rechargeable batteries or other products. According to Formula E, the metals can be recycled an infinite number of times.

“To be able to recycle our battery cells with a closed-loop approach means we’re doing our utmost to limit the impact we have on the environment, while promoting a wider message of clean mobility,” said Formula E founder and CEO Alejandro Agag.

Source: Formula E