Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has been extensively used in electronics

electric vehicles (EVs)

and energy storage. As the rapid development of EVs

the consumption of LIBs will substantially increase. Accordingly

large numbers of spent LIBs will be generated. Improper disposal of spent LIBs will not only result in long-term environmental impact

but also is a major waste of resources. Therefore

the recovery of these wastes is quite important

especially for achieving the Li resource supply and demand balance. State-of-the-art techniques for the recovery of valuable metals from spent LIBs were reviewed

and the future direction of the recovery technique was also discussed in this study. The research in the future should be focused on the technology and equipment of the safe and efficient dismantling

the integrated recovery technology of valuable elements

the resynthesis process of electrode materials

and the avoidance of secondary pollution.