The UK Technology Metals Circular Economy (CE) roadmap comprises new methods and models and several integrated research outputs from Met4Tech, including:
- stocks and flows models
- value chain analysis
- new geo-models
- circular design considerations for manufacturing and recycling
- regulatory policy, social science and environmental sustainability considerations
These will provide an improved understanding of the technology metals circular-economy system in the UK.
The strategic approach to roadmapping has four key elements:
- vision
- current state
- action plan to achieve the vision from the current state
- time frame for the roadmap
The focus areas of the roadmap are lithium-ion battery materials for use in electric mobility and energy storage, and rare earth elements used in magnets for motors (automotive), wind turbines (renewable energy) and electronics.
The lithium-ion battery roadmap was prepared through extensive analytical groundwork and workshops with project partners (academics; companies; non-governmental organisations; policy groups) and external stakeholders. Together, the workshops enabled us to collect insights related to the circular economy of lithium-ion batteries. An integral part of this process was the involvement of stakeholders from each step in the UK battery value chain, who helped to create the roadmap. The roadmap describes the future technology metals circular-economy system in the UK.
Vision
Based on stakeholder consultations, the overarching vision of the lithium-ion battery roadmap is to create a responsible and sustainable circular economy of lithium-ion batteries. This will focus on reducing material consumption, circulating materials until it is no longer beneficial, and enabling a just and responsible economy and society.
The vision can be further broken down and aligned into the 'Rs' framework:
- redesign
- reduce
- repair and direct re-use
- reinforce
- repurpose and re-use
- recycle
- responsible innovation
Redesign
Lithium-ion batteries will be designed and manufactured so that the most optimal use of resource per unit of battery is considered. They will be designed for:
- longer life
- efficient and effective disassembly
- complete safety (no arising product safety issues)
Reduce
The consumption of lithium-ion batteries will be reduced by moving away from personal mobility as a dominant model, maximising the use of public transport and using shared transport models.
Repair and direct re-use
Lithium-ion batteries will be repaired and maintained in such a way that their life can be prolonged and they can go back to their first use. Direct re-use can be with the same owner or through the second-hand market.
Reinforce
A smart grid will be enabled through V1G (smart charging) and V2G (vehicle-to-grid) to tackle the future growing demand for electrical energy. Better utilisation of the grid can control the available storage from electric vehicles: V1G makes it possible to control the time and magnitude of charging power from the power source to the vehicle, whilst V2G makes it possible to feed the energy in the batteries of the cars back to the grid.
Repurpose and re-use
When batteries are no longer suitable for electric vehicle use, they can be reconditioned at the end of their automotive life cycle for stationary energy storage. Compared to electric vehicles, stationary applications demand lower current density from the battery pack, so batteries retaining between 80 and 85 per cent of their original capacity can be collected and assessed for re-use in energy storage.
Recycle
If cell batteries have no residual capacity available, they can be processed to recover valuable metals that can be re-inserted into the battery production process. A battery pack can be recycled through processes such as:
- pyrometallurgy (smelting)
- hydrometallurgy (leaching)
- direct recycling (physical processes)
Responsible innovation
Practices that consider responsible innovation will be integrated along the entire battery value chain. The aim is to anticipate, reflect, engage and act to prevent any unintended consequences, and to better understand any challenges.
Tradeoffs and dilemmas
The vision-building exercise for the roadmapping has highlighted various trade-offs and dilemmas that need to be considered. This is a brief overview of the crucial issues that must be considered in the circular economy of lithium-ion battery materials.
- The current focus is on lithium and cobalt but there are other metal concerns too. What if there are shortages in the other metals, such as nickel, or graphite?
- Current trends in mobility are for each fossil fuel-based car to be replaced with an electric vehicle, but there are changing consumption patterns for mobility; how will these be accounted for?
- What is practically feasible in the UK? 'Sustainable' lithium is going to be produced domestically in the UK; is the UK market and manufacturing sector ready for this supply?
- Optimising resources would suggest using cobalt-free batteries versus extending the life of current cobalt-containing batteries; which is preferable?
- Reducing the cobalt content of the battery puts pressure on other metals like nickel. How should potential domino effects be considered?
- What if competing battery technologies are preferred for public transport?
- Until when is direct re-use environmentally and economically friendly?
- Is repurposing cobalt-based batteries for energy storage preferable to recycling?
- Is intensifying usage detrimental to a longer battery life? Which is preferable: longer life or more intensive usage?
Modelling the roadmap scenarios
The creation of the UK Technology Metals CE roadmap is being supported by development of an agent-based model of the lithium-ion battery system in the UK. The agent-based model of the CE roadmap uses the new datasets for stocks and flows, draws on the value chains analysis, and considers related research findings.
The researchers have extracted many insights from the roadmapping process to formulate priority topics (battery roadmap highlights) for investigation with the agent-based model. This simulation modelling technique allows for the exploration of several future UK scenarios for technology metals and potential interventions (for example, changes in technology; policy options, etc.). This research involves analysis of complex and adaptive systems to better understand the emerging behaviour of different agents (stakeholders).
The agent-based modelling can also be used as an evaluation tool, by comparing different scenarios through sensitivity analysis as the behaviour of stakeholders changes in response to a dynamic environment. These simulations extend to 2050 (net zero ambition) and consider specific actions along this timeline.
Underpinned by the vision and trade-offs identified through roadmapping and the scenarios insights examined in agent-based modelling, the UK Technology Metals CE roadmap will highlight the challenges, timeline and interventions that can enable us to achieve the future vision for technology metals in the UK.
Stay tuned for the final roadmap and the associated academic publications.
Getting involved in the roadmap
Why should you participate in the UK Technology Metals CE roadmap?
- Play your part in transitioning towards a sustainable circular economy and reaching net zero targets
- Gain public recognition for your commitment to transition to a circular technology metals system
- Prepare for the mandatory regulatory requirements around technology metals (critical minerals) in the future
- Join the network and receive support and guidance available about the roadmap method and outputs
What will participation involve?
The roadmapping process will involve participation through workshops, interviews and focus groups. We can discuss your participation based on your availability and interest.
How to participate in the UK Technology Metals CE roadmap
If you are interested in participating in the roadmap process and being part of the technology metals transition, or if you have any more questions or suggestions about the roadmap, please contact Met4Tech (Met4Tech@exeter.ac.uk)
For questions about the roadmapping method or responsible innovation:
- Contact Dr Sampriti Mahanty (s.mahanty@ucl.ac.uk)
- Contact Prof Frank Boons (frank.boons@manchester.ac.uk)