[Edaily Reporter Shin Ha-yeon] #Koiz is embarking on the development of technology to recycle wastewater generated during the secondary battery production process and recover valuable metals.

Koiz announced on the 4th that it has begun developing technology to reuse wastewater generated during the production of additive materials for secondary battery cathodes and to extract valuable metals from it.

The company plans to proactively respond to the relevant market based on empirical data accumulated through its own treatment of wastewater generated during the production of nano-metal oxides (such as TiO₂ and Al₂O₃) for secondary battery cathode materials.

Wastewater is generated in various stages of the secondary battery manufacturing process, including cleaning, cooling, slurry production, and condensate treatment. In particular, wastewater containing metal components such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt is considered to have high recycling value.

Koiz plans to develop technologies for recovering valuable metals from wastewater and reusing treated water by leveraging its expertise in nano-metal oxide synthesis and purification, as well as its chemical structure design capabilities. Nano-metal oxides are key materials used to coat the surface of high-nickel cathodes, thereby enhancing battery life and safety.

The field of secondary battery wastewater treatment has recently garnered attention as a national research and development (R&D) project. The government is promoting a project to develop brine wastewater treatment technology aimed at recovering dissolved substances such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt, as well as reusing treated water.

Koiz aims to commercialize resource recycling processes for wastewater generated throughout the entire secondary battery production process—including cooling water, cleaning water, and condensate—by 2028. In the future, the company plans to expand its business scope to the market for treating specialized wastewater from the semiconductor industry.

A company official stated, “Rechargeable battery wastewater contains various valuable resources, so it has great potential to be utilized as a resource rather than simply being discarded,” adding, “We will lead the relevant market by securing technologies for the recovery of valuable metals and the reuse of water resources based on nanomaterial technology.”

The official added, “In the long term, we plan to expand the technology accumulated through the secondary battery process into the field of specialized wastewater treatment for the semiconductor industry.”