Liu, Haoning;
Domenech Aparisi, Teresa;
(2024)
Can circular economy strategies address resource constraints for lithium-ion batteries? A comprehensive dynamic material flow analysis of lithium flows in China's battery sector.
Journal of Industrial Ecology
10.1111/jiec.13607.
(In press).
Preview |
Text
MFA Lithium ion batteries_Domenech.pdf - Published Version Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
This paper uses a dynamic material flow analysis model to trace Li flows and stocks in China's LIBs system, taking 2021 as the base year and designing scenarios to 2050 to assess the potential role of circular economy (CE) strategies in addressing primary lithium constraints. While previous studies have concentrated on electric vehicle (EVs) LIBs, this research provides more comprehensive coverage of Li chemicals and products, assesses future Li demand considering saturation curves across different applications/groups, and provides a broader overview of policy interventions to align with CE strategies. Results illustrate that Li cumulative demand in China's LIBs sector is expected to reach 6.65 Mt from 2022 to 2050 under the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario. In parallel, there is a significant potential for addressing primary Li constraints through different combinations of circularity strategies, with a reduction of 60%–100% by 2050 compared to the BAU. The contribution of recycled Li is highly dependent on the strategies adopted to optimize end-of-life (EOL) LIBs management and battery chemistry innovation. Policies to address this are discussed including waste regulatory instruments, new remanufacturing business models, and continuous support to research and development activities to help close the loop of lithium and ease Li constraints.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Can circular economy strategies address resource constraints for lithium-ion batteries? A comprehensive dynamic material flow analysis of lithium flows in China's battery sector |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1111/jiec.13607 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13607 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Industrial Ecology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Society for Industrial Ecology. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
| Keywords: | China, circularity strategy, dynamic material flow analysis, industrial ecology, life cycle stages, lithium-ion batteries |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment > Bartlett School Env, Energy and Resources |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10202781 |
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
