Battery as a service: Analysing multiple reuse and recycling loops

Abstract

This study investigates the effects on new product demand and raw materials from the growth of a company's product-service system (PSS), using dynamic material flow analysis. The PSS involves multiple reuse and recycling of lithium-ion battery subpacks for mining equipment. While effects differ over time, 13% of new subpacks and 13–59% of primary material demand is reduced within the PSS until 2050. Supply of subpacks for reuse surpasses demand, limiting displacement of new subpacks. Reuse increases battery self-sufficiency and has limited effects on primary material demand when recycling is efficient, but more so when recycling is less efficient. Thus, if efficient recycling is unachievable, reuse becomes more important for raw material self-sufficiency in the PSS. Reusing batteries could lead to European recycled content targets not being reached in time. Thus, such targets are challenging to balance with policy goals for reuse and pose risks for companies relying on extensive reuse.