EPO published patent application EP4134180A1 for Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd., covering a method for recovering valuable metals from battery materials including lithium-ion batteries. The process involves shredding battery materials, magnetic separation of iron-containing components, sequential washing with acidic and alkaline solutions to remove impurities, reduction treatment to convert copper compounds to metallic copper, and sulfuric acid leaching to extract valuable metals such as nickel and cobalt. The patent application was published March 25, 2026, with designation extending to 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).\n\nAs this is a patent publication rather than a regulatory requirement, there are no compliance deadlines or mandatory actions for battery recycling operators. Companies engaged in battery recycling, electric vehicle manufacturing, or precious metal recovery should monitor this patent landscape to assess potential licensing needs, avoid infringement, or identify partnership opportunities. The publication of this patent indicates Sumitomo Metal Mining's strategic interest in hydrometallurgical battery recycling processes, which may influence competitive dynamics in the battery materials recovery sector.