The EPO published patent application EP4186604A1 for a battery metal recycling method developed by Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. The invention covers processes for recovering valuable metals (including copper C22B 15/00, nickel C22B 23/00, and cobalt C22B 23/02) from spent batteries using thermal (F27D 11/04, F27D 11/08) and chemical extraction methods (C22B 3/26, C22B 9/20). The patent is classified under H01M 10/54 (battery recycling) and is designated for all EU member states plus Switzerland, Norway, and Turkey.

Patent publication does not impose compliance obligations on third parties. Manufacturers and battery recyclers should note this intellectual property filing for competitive awareness and freedom-to-operate analysis. Companies developing competing recycling technologies should conduct patent clearance searches to assess potential infringement risks.