Life cycle thinking and safe-and-sustainable-by-design approaches for the battery innovation landscape

Author(s):
Soeteman-Hernández, L.G.; Blanco Rocha, C.F. (0000-0001-8199-8420); Koese, J.M. (0000-0002-0128-1161); Sips, A.J.A.M.; Noorlander, C.W.; Peijnenburg, W.J.G.M. (0000-0003-2958-9149)
Published
2023
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

Abstract

Developments in battery technology are essential for the energy transition and need to follow the framework for Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) materials, chemicals, products and processes as set by the EU. SSbD is a broad approach which ensures that chemicals/advanced materials/products/services are produced and used in a way to avoid harm to humans and the environment. Technical and policy-related literature was surveyed for battery technologies and recommendations were provided for a broad SSbD approach that remains firmly grounded in Life Cycle Thinking principles. The approach integrates functional performance and sustainability (safety, social, environmental and economic) aspects throughout the life cycle of materials, products and processes, and evaluates how their interactions reflect on SSbD parameters. 22 different types of batteries were analyzed in a life cycle thinking approach for criticality, toxicity/safety, environmental and social impact, circularity, functionality and cost to ensure battery innovation has a green and sustainable purpose to avoid unintended consequences.

EU Chemical Strategy for SustainabilitySocial impactEnvironmental impactSafetyNext generation batteries
Date issued
2023-02-01
Language
English
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Is part of
iScience (2023), No. 3, 106060
hdl
1887/3566578
doi
10.1016/j.isci.2023.106060
URL
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004223001372?via%3Dihub

Funding

Sponsorship
Horizon 2020(H2020)
Grant number
875637