Introduce Recycled Plastic
In the past three years, Simplo Technology has collaborated with suppliers on recycled plastics, verifying post-consumer recycle material (PCR) from as many as 14 suppliers. Our products are certified with UL Yellow Card for fire protection and international authority for recycled content to ensure the quality and reliability of plastic materials. We will continue to cooperate with our customers and suppliers in the future to maximize the benefits of the circular economy.
According to the life-cycle assessment (LCA) data provided by suppliers, using 90 to 98% PCR plastic pellets is expected to reduce 49 to 90% of carbon emissions compared to using non recycled plastic materials. Using recycled materials not only decreases the consumption of natural resources but also brings significant environmental benefits and contributes to the circular economy.
Simplo Technology is practicing the circular economy and actively researching recycled battery module materials. Our suppliers have obtained GRS (Global Recycled Standard) recycling certification for their materials. In recent years, we have collaborated with customers and suppliers to achieve significant results, including the following:
PET Film
The proportion of recycled materials used is currently 100%, and has been fully introduced into the mass production of customer products.
PC Film
Introduced into mass production in 2024 with 90% recycled content.
Copper
Initially, research will be conducted with a recycled content of 50%, and mass production will be introduced in 2024 with a recycled content of 100%.
Resin
Initially, research will be conducted on materials with a recycled content of 50%, and mass production will be introduced in 2024 with a recycled content of 98%. In the future, we will continue to research, develop, and test materials with high recycled specific gravity that meet the requirements of the future PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS) regulations.
Cell_Cobalt
By 2024, we were introduced products with 50% and 100% recycled content into mass production. Because cobalt accounts for approximately 21-27% of the total weight of a battery module, the use of recycled cobalt in calculating the overall battery recycling rate is a major milestone. Using 50% recycled cobalt, combined with contributions from other recycled materials, the overall recycled content of battery modules can reach 19-26%. Using 100% recycled cobalt, the recycled content of battery modules can reach as high as 38%.
Tray Recycling
In order to reduce the amount of waste produced during the manufacturing process, we start from Tray recycling, including Pack and Frame Tray recycling. Battery modules are provided to customers in Pack Tray. After receiving the battery module, the customer recycles the battery Tray to the entrusted recycling plant; the recycling plant inspects the recycled Pack Tray and then transports the reusable battery Tray. Simplo Technology put 28,524,870 PCS into recycling in 2021, 22,441,060 PCS in 2022, 17,058,550 PCS in 2023, and 16,704,847 PCS in 2024. When the Pack Tray is inspected at the recycling plant and does not meet the usage requirements, it is entrusted to the recycling plant for scrapping and use as secondary materials.
After the upstream supply chain receives the Frame, it recycles the Frame Tray and sells it to a recycling plant; after the recycling plant inspects the recycled Frame Tray, the supplier purchases reusable Frame Tray packaging products and ships them for recycling. In 2024, a total of 252,000 PCS have been put into recycling, gradually implementing circular economy.
Cobalt Recycling
Cobalt is one of the elements used as a positive electrode material in lithium-ion batteries, accounting for approximately a quarter of the total battery cell weight (varying depending on the specific positive electrode materials). Simplo Technology considers cobalt recycling as a long-term plan, with most customers viewing it as an important issue. Cobalt is sourced not only from mining but also partly from recycling. Current recycling technologies can achieve approximately 90% efficiency in cobalt recovery.
In 2024, Simplo Technology collaborated with 3 battery cell suppliers to pass the UL 2809 Environmental Claim Validation Procedure (ECVP) for Recycled Content. They verified that battery cells contained 50% and 100% post-consumer recycled cobalt content, used in laptop battery products, demonstrating commitment to the circular economy. In 2024, a total of 7,186,894 PCS battery modules containing recycled cobalt were shipped, using a total of 216,133 kg of recycled cobalt.
The main sources of recycled cobalt currently include production waste and marketrecycled batteries. There are primarily two methods (thermal treatment and chemical treatment) to extract cobalt compounds from these sources, which are them reused in positive electrode materials.
For precious metal cobalt in batteries, in 2024, products with a recycling rate of 50% and 100% was mass-produced and introduced. Recycled cobalt materials had all obtained Underwriter Laboratories Inc's (UL) recycling certification. As cobalt accounts for approximately 21-27% of the overall weight of the battery module, the adoption of recycled cobalt represents a significant milestone in calculating the overall battery recycling rate. Using 50% recycled cobalt, along with contributions from other recycled materials, the overall recycling rate of the battery module product can reach 19-26%. Using 100% recycled cobalt, the overall recycling rate of the battery module product can reach as high as 38%.
