Screening resource assessment of next-generation battery chemistries

Report, 2021

Rechargeable batteries are used in a number of applications of high societal importance, including various types of electronics and electric vehicles. Many of those batteries currently in use contain rare and/or critical chemical elements and materials. In this study, we identify next-generation battery chemistries based on a survey sent out to organizations within the Batteries Sweden (BASE) competence centre. The identified chemistries are then assessed regarding their resource requirements, applying a screening resource assessment method developed within the study. The method considers the crustal rarity and criticality of the materials contained within the battery cell, from the perspective of the European Union. The results from the screening assessment show that two types of multivalent batteries (one specific calcium-based battery cell and one specific aluminium-based cell) contain the lowest number of rare and critical materials of the batteries assessed, while a certain type of lithium-ion battery cell (nickel-manganese-cobalt, NMC) contains the highest number of rare and critical materials. The developed screening method can be used by BASE members and other relevant actors to identify battery chemistries with promising resource performance for further, more detailed resource assessments, such as life cycle assessment and material flow analysis.