Life cycle assessment of circular economy scenarios of lithium-ion batteries in Brazil

Abstract

Recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has become indispensable, as their increasing use in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE), e-vehicles, energy storage and other applications lead to several environmental and social impacts, from extraction of raw materials (e.g. critical minerals) to waste disposal. This problem is even more critical in developing economies like Brazil, one of the largest producers of Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in the world. Brazil enforced, in its National Solid Waste Policy (Law 12.305/2010), the reverse logistics of WEEE and batteries, but the country still faces serious challenges in managing solid wastes. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a useful tool to support analyses of the environmental impacts for decision-making to assess the best-available-technology of waste treatment options. There is increasing concern with life cycle impacts of batteries, but very little research has been done in assessing these impacts in Brazil. The main objective of this project is to develop and assess the impacts of potential circular economy scenarios of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) used in e-mobility (traction batteries) and information technology (IT) equipment in Brazil, compared to the current situation, to support decision making in environmental policies. The project will conduct a Consequential Life Cycle Assessment (CLCA), recommended to analyse environmental changes caused by some decision - in this project, the expansion of LIBs recycling capacity by different technologies, and possible second life applications in Brazil. (AU)