CRITICALITY AND LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERY RAW MATERIALS

Abstract

WeLOOP is developing a web tool to help companies assess the criticality risks associated with raw materials in their supply chain by evaluating three sources of risk: accessibility, price, and reputation. At the same time, WeLOOP works on several Life Cycle Assessment projects linked to batteries and storage systems. There is a significant gap in available LCA data for batteries. In this thesis, we have conducted an inclusive criticality assessment for lithium-ion battery raw materials based on the methodology suggested by the IRTC (International Round Table on Materials Criticality). The data collection and the criticality indicators calculated in this thesis will be incorporated into the WeLOOP web tool. The second part of the thesis was to conduct a life cycle assessment of lithium-ion battery recycling processes. The results of the criticality assessment highlighted the criticality risks of cobalt, lithium, natural graphite, and bauxite/aluminum (all four are on the EU criticality list 2020). We also raised the question of potential criticality risk associated with nickel due to the recent price fluctuations and provided several recommendations for future criticality studies. The LCA study has shown that the avoided impacts thanks to recycling are very important compared to the environmental impacts of battery production (NMC111 cell). This is due to recycling processes' recovery of valuable and critical battery metals/ metals’ salts. Those recovered materials can be used in producing new lithium-ion batteries, which will play an important role in the circularity and sustainability of lithium-ion batteries. However, more research is needed to enhance the efficiency/recovery rates and lower the environmental impacts of recycling.