Source: Intercalationstation
As sodium ion batteries scale from niche to competitive energy storage, the EU is moving early on recycling infrastructure through the Revitalise project, positioning Europe to capture material recovery economics before these chemistries mature. Sodium ion lacks the cobalt and nickel supply constraints of lithium chemistries, but still generates valuable lithium, manganese, and nickel that recyclers need processes for. The project's focus on "low cost and low impact" suggests the competitive advantage will go to whoever builds efficient recovery first, not to retrofitted lithium recycling lines. By funding Eurecat's work now, the EU is betting that recycling capacity becomes a cost lever for sodium ion adoption, especially in stationary storage where the chemistry's cycle life and temperature tolerance already compete on fundamentals.