Lithium-ion batteries are at the heart of many of our clean energy products and electronic devices and the growing demand for these products in turn creates demand for the critical minerals needed to make them. That's why Audi is driving toward a circular supply chain for lithium-ion batteries by being the first automaker to create a consequential new partnership with Redwood Materials to collect household lithium-ion batteries and rechargeable devices directly from consumers. The program helps create a closed-loop pathway for lithium-ion battery components, empowering communities with a way to recycle their old devices safely and conveniently.
We know there are many who want to be part of this circularity movement and we also know just how hard it can sometimes be to recycle responsibly. That's why, together with Redwood, Audi is providing communities a new opportunity to do so in a way that is convenient and supports one of the most important sustainability initiatives underway on the planet.
As more and more technologies come to rely on advanced batteries, global demand for lithium is expected to grow dramatically. Some estimates put that rate of growth at 500% over the next decade. The pace of technology development also seems to be increasing, and as a result many of us have older generation electronic devices collecting dust at home in our junk drawer. Since they can't be thrown into the garbage-and it's not always clear where exactly these devices should go at the end of their lifespan-it has created an untapped reservoir of recyclable materials.
This is where the Audi-Redwood partnership comes in. Select Audi dealerships nationwide are deploying Redwood collection bins where batteries and devices can be deposited and returned to Redwood for recycling, refining, and to ultimately be incorporated into the next generation of EV batteries. Recycling battery-powered devices through the program helps to recover critical minerals and over time will ease the pressure to mine new raw materials. This program creates pathways for communities to recycle their spent batteries and devices and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Devices with a rechargeable battery can be placed in drop-off bins, including:
Batteries and devices collected are returned to Redwood, where 95% of the critical minerals in a lithium-ion battery can be recovered. These collective efforts play an important role in contributing to building out the available raw materials for new battery production.
"The consumer battery recycling program Audi launched with Redwood Materials was created with the idea that we all can contribute to a more sustainable world" says Spencer Reeder, Audi of America Director Government Affairs & Sustainability. "This new initiative also provides an opportunity for us to broaden the conversation around circularity as we expand our sustainability commitment beyond our vehicle portfolio, which includes five fully electric models in our vehicle lineup."
Since July 2022, Audi has been collaborating with Redwood as part of a larger effort to recycle all end-of-life batteries from Audi and VW electric vehicles in the US. The consumer battery recycling program is a creative expansion of the partnership with Redwood to provide responsible recycling solutions.
Our vehicle portfolio currently includes five fully electric models in our vehicle lineup, and Audi is aiming for EVs to represent at least 30% of sales and its product portfolio in the U.S. by 2025.
Building the future of progressive mobility means pioneering programs, partnerships, and processes that drive towards a more sustainable world. For Audi, partnering with Redwood Materials and driving the community forward is just one part of a larger initiative to create a more sustainable future.
