Under CopyrightThielmann, AxelAxelThielmannNeef, ChristophChristophNeefHettesheimer, TimTimHettesheimerSchmaltz, ThomasThomasSchmaltzStephan, AnnegretAnnegretStephanWeymann, LukasLukasWeymannWicke, TimTimWickeStephan, MaximilianMaximilianStephanKrauß, KonstantinKonstantinKrauß2023-12-112024-09-232023-12-112023https://doi.org/10.24406/publica-2294https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/45782910.24406/publica-2294Sustainability in the battery industry has many facets, ranging from minimizing the environmental impacts associated with material and battery production and the treatment and recycling of batteries after their end of life to environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects in the mining of raw materials. However, in terms of Europe as a location, sustainability also means building an ecosystem that enables stability and growth along the entire battery value chain. For example, through access to critical raw materials or a high degree of sovereignty in technology development and industrial implementation. Against the background of geopolitical developments and the dominance of Asian players, these aspects seem to have become more important than ever. The EU, but also the European industry from the chemical to the automotive sector, has been trying for several years to find answers to the questions related to the aspects mentioned. For example, there is currently a strong localization of production plants in Europe, which aim to cover the large battery demand of the automotive industry. At the same time, raw material deposits in Europe are also being increasingly examined for exploitation opportunities. All this is flanked by a comprehensive new EU battery regulation that has now come into force and initiatives like the critical raw materials act. The presentation deals with political, economic but also technological approaches along the European battery value chain, which can increase sustainability. Based on the predicted battery demand in Europe , the efforts to extract and process European lithium reserves will be quantified as an example and compared to the demand for raw materials. Likewise, the extent to which battery recycling that complies with the new EU regulation can have a contribution to raw material coverage is discussed. In a similar approach, the production capacity of the European battery industry itself is predicted and technological approaches to reduce the environmental impact of production processes are presented and evaluated. Also, the potential of alternative battery technologies to relax the dependencies on the Li-Ion battery technology, critical raw materials, or battery cell suppliers is discussed within a holistic sustainability approach. The result shows a picture of still strong dependence on a non-European raw material industry and on non-European players. At the same time, however, the European industry is growing, particularly in the area of battery cell production, which may increase the chances of implementing more sustainable solutions.enEuropean battery eco systemSustainable battery manufacturingSustainable battery technologypresentation