Assessing Future Environmental Impacts of Sodium-Ion Batteries Recycling

Conference poster, 2026

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted attention as a promising alternative to lithiumion batteries (LIBs) [1]. SIBs have recently entered the market as a power source for applications such as scooters and smaller electric vehicles [2]. This means that SIBs will start to enter the end of life (EoL) stage in the near future. Therefore, it is of relevance to investigate environmental challenges that may arise once larger volumes of SIBs reach the EoL stage. Since there are not yet any largescale recycling facilities for SIBs, there is not yet any data on actual SIB recycling outside of laboratory testing. Therefore, no studies have assessed the environmental impact of recycling methods of SIBs [3; 4]. There are, however, recycling processes at low technology readiness level (TRL). Such processes could be considered when assessing future environmental impacts by scaling up the processes using process modeling and/or simulations. This ongoing study assesses the future environmental impacts of SIB recycling between 2035 and 2050. It does so by conducting a prospective life cycle assessment (pLCA) with the functional unit of one spent sodium-ion battery cell. Three cathode chemistries (layered metal oxides, Prussian blue analogues, and polyanions) are considered to capture chemistry-specific aspects. The LCA modelling is carried out in the Activity Browser. Inventory data are derived from battery literature, lab-scale recycling studies, and future scenarios from integrated assessment models. Environmental and resource performance is mainly assessed in terms of climate change, mineral resource scarcity, and life-cycle energy demand. The results are aimed at guiding policymakers and recycling facilities on recycling options for SIBs. Furthermore, the results can contribute to highlighting the importance of sustainable design of SIB cells to SIB producers.

References:
[1] Arshad, F., et al. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2022, 180, 106164.
[2] Stephan, A., et al. Fraunhofer ISI Roadmap 2030+, 2023
[3] Peters, J. F., et al. Sustainable Energy & Fuels., 2021, 5, 6414–6429.
[4] Zhang, S., et al. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2024, 202, 107362.

Acknowledgements. The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support by VINNOVA via
2024-03853 (Batteries Sweden).