Norwegian research partner sought for POLNORIS: selective lithium recovery from LFP black mass

SolveLi is a Polish deep-tech company developing selective molecular extraction technologies for lithium and other critical raw materials. Our expertise includes supramolecular chemistry, molecular recognition, solid–liquid extraction (SLE), liquid–liquid extraction (LLE), and process concepts for selective metal separation from complex inorganic matrices.

Building on research developed together with the Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences (IOC PAS), we are currently looking for a Norwegian research partner for a POLNORIS proposal under the European green transition priority.

The proposed project will focus on the selective recovery of lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries, with particular emphasis on black mass derived from lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Our objective is to develop a selective upstream processing step that enables lithium recovery without complete bulk dissolution of the black mass.

A key project goal is to preserve the remaining solid residue in a form compatible with established downstream recycling routes. The proposed technology is therefore intended to complement, rather than replace, existing battery-recycling processes such as hydrometallurgical or related treatment pathways.

We are looking for a Norwegian research organisation with complementary expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• battery recycling and black-mass processing,

• LFP chemistry,

• hydrometallurgy or solvometallurgy,

• selective lithium recovery,

• solvent extraction, SLE and LLE,

• process engineering and continuous extraction,

• battery-material characterisation,

• techno-economic analysis (TEA),

• life-cycle assessment (LCA).

Access to real industrial battery feedstocks, pilot infrastructure, or links to Norwegian recycling companies would be a strong advantage.

The project is currently at an early proof-of-concept stage. Through POLNORIS, we would like to validate the concept on real battery-derived materials, optimise the selective lithium-recovery step, assess compatibility of the Li-depleted residue with conventional downstream recycling, and build a joint applied R&D collaboration between SolveLi, IOC PAS and a Norwegian partner.