Batteries In The Nordics Changing For Circularity

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2022-523/ The overall aim of this project is to promote the Nordic countries as a forerunner region in demanding and using sustainable design of batteries for consumer electronics and the transport sector, and to identify key opportunities, barriers and challenges in the transition towards a more sustainable use of battery technologies. The aesthetics of the design should meet with the overall sustainability: high quality, durability and smart assembly for refurbishing.The project is funded by the Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy (NCE) under the Nordic Council of Ministers. The project has been carried out by Viegand Maagøe A/S (Denmark) and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute (Sweden) in the period 20 October 2020 to 31 December 2021.A reference group with representatives from the Nordics has been established, who provided valuable input to the study.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2022-524/ The overall aim of this project is to promote the Nordic countries as a forerunner region in demanding and using sustainable design of batteries for consumer electronics and the transport sector, and to identify key opportunities, barriers and challenges in the transition towards a more sustainable use of battery technologies. The aesthetics of the design should meet with the overall sustainability: high quality, durability and smart assembly for refurbishing.The project is funded by the Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy (NCE) under the Nordic Council of Ministers. The project has been carried out by Viegand Maagøe A/S (Denmark) and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute (Sweden) in the period 20 October 2020 to 31 December 2021.A reference group with representatives from the Nordics has been established, who provided valuable input to the study.

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2024-502/ Eunomia Research & Consulting and Mepex Consult AS were commissioned by the Nordic Working Group for Circular Economy to carry out a study on production and recycling of batteries used in electrical vehicles (EVs) with a focus on the Nordic region. The study sought to contribute to building knowledge around technologies and procedures capable of reducing emissions and minimising environmental risks across the EV battery value chain, and to provide initial findings that may inform future Best Available Techniques Reference documents. The EV battery value chain is experiencing rapid growth and evolution at all stages. Each of these stages, and associated technologies, are accompanied by environmental risks, waste products and emissions. Additionally, distinct barriers to the circularity of batteries include degradation of battery capacity and complexity of technologies and supply chains.

The number of electric vehicles (cars, buses, e-bikes, electric scooters and electric motorcycles) sold in the Nordic countries is currently increasing quickly. That means that more electricity is used for driving, and also that more of some important metals are being used than earlier. This report regards the fate of the lithium-ion batteries used in vehicles in the Nordic countries. Currently the “Battery Directive” (EC, 2006) which is a producer’s responsibility directive, is under revision and this study is a knowledge base intended for use by the Nordic Environmental Protection Agencies for their referral response in the revision process. This report focuses on the aspect of metal resources, but it does not elaborate on a broader range of environmental impacts, as these were outside the scope of this study.

The transition to Circular Economy necessitates right incentives for choosing products and services with lower environmental impacts, in the form of price signals and sufficient environmental information. An ecolabel indicates that the product is, environmentally speaking, among the best products available on the market and thus has the role to steer stepwise developments towards sustainability. The Swan criteria promote quality products with requirements on durability and the use of secondary raw materials. To further align the criteria with Circular Economy, future criteria development might focus more on aspects including upgradability, reparability, multi-functionality, component reuse and innovative forms of consumption and production. This report was prepared as part of a Nordic project, and the results could be useful in the development of the Nordic Ecolabel in the future.

The circular economy offer opportunities to reduce resource use and waste whilst providing business opportunities. This is also true in the mobile phone industry that has been characterised by high rates of product obsolescence. The emergence of the smart phone has changed the landscape, making repair, refurbishment and resell attractive to businesses and consumers. Moreover, emerging modular phone design should allow functional upgrades with low resource wastage. This report investigates the adoption of circular business models within Nordic markets. Producers, retailers, refurbishers, recyclers and resellers tell of their motivation, experiences and the challenges that they face. A special look is taken at consumer and waste law and the challenges and opportunities they represent. The report ends with 17 policy proposals that can accelerate the adoption of circularity in the sector.

The number of electric vehicles (cars, buses, e-bikes, electric scooters and electric motorcycles) sold in the Nordic countries is currently increasing quickly. That means that more electricity is used for driving, and also that more of some important metals are being used than earlier. This report regards the fate of the lithium-ion batteries used in vehicles in the Nordic countries. Currently the "Battery Directive" (EC, 2006) which is a producer's responsibility directive, is under revision and this study is a knowledge base intended for use by the Nordic Environmental Protection Agencies for their referral response in the revision process. This report focuses on the aspect of metal resources, but it does not elaborate on a broader range of environmental impacts, as these were outside the scope of this study.