Washington CORE recently had the opportunity to sit down with Raffaele Nacchiero, co-founder and CEO of AraBat, an Italian clean-tech startup pioneering sustainable battery recycling. Nacchiero launched AraBat in 2021 with a bold vision to transform spent lithium-ion batteries into valuable resources using nothing but agricultural waste.

Nacchiero shared how AraBat’s proprietary “AraMet” process leverages organic acids and reducing sugars found in orange peels to extract critical raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. By eliminating harsh chemicals and energy-intensive procedures, AraBat aims to make battery recycling both eco-friendly and economically scalable. The startup has already garnered attention across Europe and North America and is seeking strategic partners for global expansion.

This interview is part of Washington CORE’s broader effort to identify breakthrough innovators addressing global environmental and supply chain challenges. Nacchiero’s insights highlight how grassroots scientific innovation can reshape industrial systems and accelerate a sustainable future.

Read the full INSIGHTS article here.