GRowUP - sustainable alternative carbon source for graphene manufacturing

Purpose and goal:

This project has investigated the possibility of using end-of-life electrical vehicle (EV) batteries as an alternative carbon source to the mined graphite that is used today for graphene manufacturing. The objectives to demonstrate the possibility of accessing battery graphite and to investigate the economic feasibility were met. Currently, graphite-containing material from EV batteries is handled as secondary waste.

A switch to alternative processes is possible and there is great interest from the graphene manufacturers to explore more sustainable carbon source. Expected results and effects:

The ultimate goal of the project was to reduce the impact on climate change by reusing carbon that is already in the value chain (used in EV batteries) for graphene production. Our investigation found that this prospect has merit. The next steps would be practical experiments to investigate the properties and quality of battery graphene as well as a life cycle assessment to compare graphene obtained from pristine to recycled graphite.

Approach and implementation:

The project activities included investigations of worn-out batteries supply, accessible carbon, market aspects, graphite and graphene quality, circular design, current battery recycling practice and interviews with graphene manufacturing companies. Apart from a substantial report, the information was also disseminated in a workshop (24 May 2022) and a webinar (1 June 2022). Recordings of these can be found at SIO Grafen’s website.