TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES

All devices must undergo specific treatment, recycling, and disposal processes based on their type, aimed at recovering reusable materials and preventing pollutants from being released into the environment. All processes comply with EU regulations, particularly regarding health, safety, and waste management.

Treatment of Portable Batteries and Accumulators

After separate collection and sorting, portable batteries follow two main recycling processes:

1. Pyrometallurgical Process

• Grinding phase followed by magnetic iron removal
• High-temperature furnace treatment to recover mercury, cadmium, and zinc from fumes
• Residue consists mainly of iron-manganese alloys or impure manganese oxides

2. Hydrometallurgical Process

• Grinding of alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries
• Recovery of battery paste, paper, plastics, and ferromagnetic materials
• Leaching process to separate zinc, manganese, and cadmium ions
• Recovery of graphite, manganese dioxide, and zinc through electrolysis

Treatment of Industrial and Vehicle Accumulators

Lead-containing devices undergo a different process:

1. Separate collection and storage
2. Crushing and mechanical separation
3. Plastic components (about 10%) go to recycling industries
4. Mechanical parts enter the “virtuous recycling circle”:
– Melting: lead is collected in furnaces with specific reagents
– Refining: removal of impurities to obtain “secondary lead,” identical to the original mineral

Treatment and disposal processes for other types of accumulators are more complex and costly.

Note: All processes prioritize environmental protection and compliance with community regulations on health and safety standards.