Battery as a service: Analysing multiple reuse and recycling loops
Journal article, 2023

This study investigates the effects on new product demand and raw materials from the growth of a company's product-service system (PSS), using dynamic material flow analysis. The PSS involves multiple reuse and recycling of lithium-ion battery subpacks for mining equipment. While effects differ over time, 13% of new subpacks and 13–59% of primary material demand is reduced within the PSS until 2050. Supply of subpacks for reuse surpasses demand, limiting displacement of new subpacks. Reuse increases battery self-sufficiency and has limited effects on primary material demand when recycling is efficient, but more so when recycling is less efficient. Thus, if efficient recycling is unachievable, reuse becomes more important for raw material self-sufficiency in the PSS. Reusing batteries could lead to European recycled content targets not being reached in time. Thus, such targets are challenging to balance with policy goals for reuse and pose risks for companies relying on extensive reuse.

Circular economy

Circular business model

Product-service system

Dynamic material flow analysis

Author

Harald Helander

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Environmental Systems Analysis

Maria Ljunggren

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Environmental Systems Analysis

Resources, Conservation and Recycling

09213449 (ISSN) 18790658 (eISSN)

Vol. 197 107091

Mistra REES (Resource-effective and efficient solutions) phase 2

The Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research (Mistra) (2019-00239), 2019-12-01 -- 2023-12-31.

Subject Categories

Other Mechanical Engineering

Environmental Management

DOI

10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.107091

More information

Latest update

9/12/2023