The EPO published EP4375386A1, a European patent application by Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. for a method of treating alloys. The patent covers treatment processes for non-ferrous metal alloys (classified under C22B series including C22B 3/04, C22B 15/00, C22B 23/00) with applications in battery materials and recycling. Key inventors include Shouji Hirofumi and Takenouchi Hiroshi. The application designates 35 states including all EU member states (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, TR).

This is a patent publication rather than a regulatory action, so it creates no compliance obligations. Entities in the battery materials, non-ferrous metal processing, or battery recycling sectors should be aware of this published technology for competitive intelligence and freedom-to-operate analysis. No action is required for regulatory compliance purposes.