Electroslag Refining (ESR) for Battery Recycling in Low-Cost Electricity Regions: Opportunities and Challenges

This paper analyzes the economic viability of electroslag refining (ESR) for critical metal recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries in regions with electricity costs below $0.05/kWh. We demonstrate how en2ergy price differentials make ESR competitive with traditional hydrometallurgical methods, particularly for cobalt and nickel purification. Description: This work evaluates ESR as a region-specific solutionfor battery recycling, demonstrating: 40% lower OPEX than hydrometallurgy in Norway/Quebec ($0.03–0.05/kWh) Process modificationsfor solar-rich regions (e.g., daytime operation in Rajasthan) Policy levers: Tax credits for ESR adoption tied to renewable energy use