A global recycling specialist, SungEel HiTech is establishing a secondary battery recycling infrastructure that actively supports the realization of a circular economy in the electric vehicle era and the transition to an eco-friendly industry. In line with domestic and international environmental policies and market changes, the company has committed to developing technologies and expanding business for a more sustainable future.

Recent international environmental regulations such as the strengthened EU Battery Directive require improved recovery rates of valuable metals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt, as well as the adoption of eco-friendly processes. SungEel HiTech has proactively responded to changes by focusing on expanding their production infrastructure. The main process involves recycling lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, mobile phones, and energy storage systems (ESS) to extract valuable metals.

According to Kim Taekyung, Manager of SungEel HiTech, “Previously, individual unit processes such as discharging, disassembly, crushing, melting, and hydrometallurgical refining were managed by different systems for each process, leading to complexities in operation and maintenance, as well as challenges in ensuring process efficiency. Therefore, SungEel HiTech determined that introducing a stable and efficient solution capable of integrally managing all processes on a single platform is urgently needed.”

An Integrated Control System

To achieve integrated control and optimization of these processes, SungEel HiTech implemented Rockwell Automation’s PlantPAx® Distributed Control System (DCS). This solution enables unified control of the entire battery recycling process on a single platform. This standardizes engineering and maintenance platforms, delivering high availability and performance while ensuring long-term technical support. 

PlantPAx has enabled SungEel HiTech to greatly improve efficiency not only in process operations but in maintenance as well. By collecting and analyzing data across the entire process in real time, the company has enabled smart factory-based operation that enhance productivity, quality control, and early detection of equipment abnormalities.

Through the implementation of the PlantPAx DCS, SungEel HiTech is significantly improving production efficiency and quality stability, which enables consistent product output. Plus, the automated safety management system has enhanced workplace safety and reduced the risk of accidents. The predictive maintenance capabilities of the PlantPAx DCS help to prevent equipment failures in advance, maximizing uptime, reducing maintenance costs, and greatly improving operational efficiency. 

For more information: 

Rockwell Automation

PlantPAx 

SungEel HiTech 

EU Battery Directive

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