Everything you need to know 
about batteries

Discover everything about how batteries are made, how they work and the role they will play in future technology, from fun facts to clear insights.

Behind the convenience of batteries lies a fascinating story. Discover how they work, how they have evolved throughout history, and much more.

Batteries power our modern world, from the smartphone in our pockets to the electric vehicles we drive. But have you ever wondered what's actually happening inside these batteries? The science behind it is surprisingly clever, involving fundamental chemical reactions that convert stored chemical energy into the electrical current that runs our devices. Let’s dive a little deeper!

Batteries have become indispensable in our lives. Our smartphone, laptop, remote control, watches, digital devices, cars,... almost every device we use wirelessly contains a battery. But what exactly is INSIDE a battery? And how are batteries made?

Batteries have become indispensable in our lives. Our smartphone, laptop, remote control, watches, digital devices, cars,... almost every device we use wirelessly contains a battery. But what exactly is INSIDE a battery? And how are batteries made?

Batteries have become indispensable in our lives. Our smartphone, laptop, remote control, watches, digital devices, cars,... almost every device we use wirelessly contains a battery. But what exactly is INSIDE a battery? And how are batteries made?

In this chapter, we’ll show you how to store batteries safely, how Bebat collects used batteries, and how Sortbat carefully sorts them to prepare for recycling.

There’s a lot of advice on how to store and handle batteries properly. But what should you actually do, and what should you avoid? Let’s sort through some common battery tips and see what’s a must-do and what’s a definite don’t.

At Bebat, we make sure used batteries end up in the right place. We do this through a wide network of collection points and handy solutions for collecting batteries at home.

Different battery types require different recycling processes. This means that after collection, batteries must go through a sorting process to separate out the various key chemical types. In Belgium this is done at the Sortbat facility, a branch of Bebat, and it results in 7 output streams:

Discover the specialised processes that turn used batteries into valuable materials and how battery recycling continues to evolve.

Discover the specialised processes that turn used batteries into valuable materials and how battery recycling continues to evolve.

Discover the specialised processes that turn used batteries into valuable materials and how battery recycling continues to evolve.

Discover how batteries are safely dismantled, discharged, and processed through comminution and drainage to recover valuable materials efficiently.

Explore how batteries are separated into metals, plastics, papers, and black mass using magnetic, electrodynamic, sieving, and density-based methods.

Learn how metallurgical distillation recycles metals from batteries using pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and pyrolysis.

Batteries are all around us. We help you keep an overview and give you an idea of what types of batteries are available on the market.

From the alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries we use daily to advanced lithium-ion technology in electric vehicles: the world of batteries is surprisingly diverse. Discover the different types of batteries, their chemical processes, pros and cons, and why recycling them is crucial for our future.

Alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries are similar enough that they are recycled together. The zinc-carbon battery was the first commercially available dry-cell battery in production. Experiments in the late 19th century by Georges Leclanché and Carl Gassner led to the refinement and wide-spread use of zinc-carbon batteries in the first ever flashlight, out of which the battery manufacturer Eveready was born.

Lithium primary refers to non-rechargeable batteries that use metallic lithium as the anode material. There are many different electrolyte and cathode options (manganese dioxide, carbon monofluoride, and iron disulphide are among the most common cathode materials today).

Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are increasingly popular today, used in mobile phones, e-cigarettes, computers, electric vehicles, and much more (including military and aerospace applications). They were first made commercially available in 1991 by Sony following decades of research and experimentation. A few decades more research has helped this battery chemistry excel above all others in its performance and longevity while also bringing down the price considerably.

Learn all about nickel cadmium batteries: composition, pros and cons, applications, and how to recycle them safely and sustainably.

Learn all about nickel metal hydride batteries: composition, pros and cons, applications, and how to recycle them safely and sustainably.

Learn all about lead-acid batteries: composition, pros and cons, applications, and how to recycle them safely and sustainably.

Learn all about button cells: composition, pros and cons, applications, and how to recycle them safely and sustainably.

Battery technology is evolving at lightning speed, transforming how we store and use energy whilst presenting new challenges along the way. Read all about it.

The battery market is changing. Since the introduction of lead-acid and zinc-carbon cells over a century ago, new and more complicated chemistries are being adopted for their improved energy density, efficiency and longevity. But this comes at a price.

The future of batteries is bright! Companies, governments, and research organisations around the world are committing time and money to developing new battery technologies. Their progress will be key to decarbonising many sectors of the global economy and moving towards a greener future... And with so many new and innovative brands getting involved, interesting things are happening.