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

Soeteman-Hernández, L.G.; Blanco Rocha, C.F.; Koese, J.M.; Sips, A.J.A.M.; Noorlander, C.W.; Peijnenburg, W.J.G.M. (2023)

Article / Letter to editor

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 Sustainability
• social impact
• environmental impact
• safety
• next generation batteries

• All authors: Soeteman-Hernández, L.G.; Blanco Rocha, C.F.; Koese, J.M.; Sips, A.J.A.M.; Noorlander, C.W.; Peijnenburg, W.J.G.M.
• Date: 2023-02-01
• Journal: iScience
• Advanced Publication: Yes
• DOI: doi:10.1016/j.isci.2023.106060
• Sponsorship: Horizon 2020(H2020)
• Grant number: 875637