Procedure Model to Support the Recycling-Oriented Design of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles

The ever-increasing complexity and design variability of modern lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and battery systems prevent their cost-effective and efficient recycling. As a consequence, the generation of recyclates to competitive prices compared to virgin materials is currently impossible. This is troublesome as the extraction of the resulting demand for raw materials is associated with high environmental and social burdens. Additionally, the prospected increase in electric vehicle (EV) sales will further intensify this problem. In this context, the purposeful design of products has gained increasing interest, being a possibility to address issues regarding the recyclability of a product, already in its development. The challenge for an efficient and effective design for recycling approach is the complexity of a multitude of different, sometimes conflicting requirements, which have to be defined and regarded throughout the process. Therefore, methods and tools for an easily accessible overview of what needs to be addressed and proposals for specific courses of action are needed. In our work, we identify necessary elements and information-flows for the successful development of guidelines that enable the implementation of design for recycling strategies for LIBs. This is done by analysing currently applied recycling methods and the associated prevailing issues that partially result from current battery designs. Furthermore, already existing guidelines and development procedures for a recyclable design of LIBs are evaluated to identify, why their integration in the industry was not successful thus far.