Waste to Watt?

Purpose and goal:

The hypothesis is to test whether spent coffee grounds can become a new biobased feedstock in producing Lithium-ion and Sodium-ion batteries, in line with Selecta becoming a Net Zero company. To test this hypothesis, we need to characterize coffee grounds of different types, assess ease of processing during carbonization steps, prepare anodes and assemble coin cell batteries to characterize and benchmark their performance

Expected results and effects:

This project has a well-balanced new value chain from a commercial coffee company having to deal with about 4000 tons of spent coffee grounds per year, an innovative commercial battery anode manufacturer looking to test the next generation materials, and research institute having a qualified team and advanced labs. The project will produce battery coin-cell demonstrators that validate the hypothesis in the lab, creating benefits for all involved, including new IP. The project will also deliver a market and sustainability analysis.

Approach and implementation:

The project is divided into four work packages (WPs) and is coordinated by Selecta. Project partners are Granode Materials and RISE. The WPs focus on coffee waste selection and market analysis; carbonization, slurry preparation and SiB cell assembly; treatment of coffee waste active material for LiBs; and project management.