EU’s recycled content targets of lithium-ion batteries are likely to compromise critical metal circularity

Zhou, Haiwei; Yang, Yuyao; Li, Wen; McKechnie, Jon; Thiede, Sebastian; Wang, Peng

Abstract

Batteries, essential for a net-zero future, are highly dependent on critical metals, the extraction and supply of which inflict harm on society and the environment and are subject to geopolitical tensions. To reduce damages and secure supply, the EU has introduced ambitious targets for end-of-life battery recycling and critical metal recovery; however, the feasibility of such targets remains unclear. Here, to explore the impacts of the EU's proposed recycled content (RC) targets on battery material circularly, we develop a comprehensive material flow analysis model for the EU's lithium-ion batteries and consider different climate targets and battery chemistries, lifespans, and repurposing rates. Results show that achieving the EU's RC targets in 2036, especially for cobalt, is challenging. The RC targets become more achievable via, e.g., maintaining a high rate of manufacturing waste, disincentivizing battery repurposing, and forcing the early retirement of batteries, which could, however, undermine battery material circularity. Our analysis suggests that the EU should remain flexible in its RC targets.

Citation

Zhou, H., Yang, Y., Li, W., McKechnie, J., Thiede, S., & Wang, P. (2024). EU’s recycled content targets of lithium-ion batteries are likely to compromise critical metal circularity. One Earth, 7(7), 1288-1300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2024.06.017

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 24, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 19, 2024
• Publication Date: Jul 19, 2024
• Deposit Date: Nov 4, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 6, 2024
• Journal: One Earth
• Electronic ISSN: 2590-3322
• Publisher: Elsevier (Cell Press)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 1288-1300
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2024.06.017
• Keywords: recycled content, critical raw materials, lithium-ion batteries, battery regulation, circular economy
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/41541898
• Publisher URL: https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322(24)00321-X?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS259033222400321X%3Fshowall%3Dtrue
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: EU’s recycled content targets of lithium-ion batteries are likely to compromise critical metal circularity; Journal Title: One Earth; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2024.06.017; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.