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Funded by the European Union logo

RECIRCULATE

Reuse of batteries through characterisation, smart logistics, automated pack and module dismantling and repackaging and a blockchain enabled marketplace

Branch: Production technology

Duration: 1.5.2023- 30.4.2026

Region: International

Financed by: HORIZON-CL5-2022-D2-01-10

https://recirculate.eu

Project Manager: Athith Sagar
Tero Kaarlela

Recirculate logo

The EU-funded project RECIRCULATE creates new business models for repair, reuse, and recycling of second-life batteries.

The European Union has financed €4.9 million for the RECIRCULATE project, which will address the most pressing challenges in the European battery recycling sector and battery materials logistics. The main goal of the project is to enhance end-of-life battery repair, reuse, remanufacture and recycling. 

Eleven partners from different countries will work together to overcome the most crucial challenges in the battery recycling sector by combining advanced technologies, such as AI for automated dismantling, smart logistics solutions for safe storage and transportation of batteries and battery materials, and blockchain technology for tracking key battery data and a battery marketplace. 

The unique virtual marketplace will allow for the creation of new circular business models for repair, reuse, remanufacture and recycling of second-life batteries, minimizing cost, time, energy and environmental impact whilst maximizing battery value.  

Recirculation of batteries

Participating companies 

Centria University of Applied Sciences will coordinate the RECIRCULATE project and will be responsible for efficient communication between the project’s participants. 

Ford Otosan will provide different batteries to enable demonstration of automatic disassembly and will be involved in the development of a standardized battery labeling system. FO will support the preparation of a battery pack repair scheme, procedures for vehicle dismantling & teardown battery packages and also will make sustainability assessment with LCA tools.  

Probot’s role is to integrate and test the AI-based robotic battery dismantling and sorting (D&S) system. 

Minespider provides a blockchain-based traceability platform and will be involved in all tasks for data exchange relating to providence and characterisation. They will be responsible for designing concepts, workflows, and templates for data collected and shared via digital Battery Passports as well as building an MVP online marketplace. 

Eco Stor will be responsible for the initial testing of the battery packs for SoC, SoH and SoS, and reviewing battery data to identify and categorize batteries into packs with similar data. 

Fundacio Eurecat will be focused on conducting controlled testing and developing algorithms to gather and process data related to battery performance. Eurecat will also perform the sustainability assessment and support the circular business model development. 

Libattion will develop a modular second-life battery pack based on used cells. These second-life battery packs will be developed for light vehicles with lower range and power requirements, as well as the lower overall weight to determine how much power the batteries can still provide for this use case.  

Centria University of Applied Sciences will be developing an AI based robotic battery dismantling system from the pack to module and module to cell level. This also involves image analysis for identifying different battery types and models, to enable rapid robot path programming for dismantling and sorting. 

DHL will be responsible for the safe transportation and storage of packs, modules and cells. DHL will conduct detailed research in both the technical aspects such as  delivery of hazardous material and advancing smart truck solutions, as well as  legal aspects. DHL will create a definition of the processes required to handle and to carry batteries and the transportation process flow.  

Dafo Vehicle Fire Protection’s role is to design and develop an intelligent safe transport and storage system for battery packs, modules and cells. 

CSEM will be responsible for assessment, evaluation and safe transportation of batteries. CSEM will also research different diagnostic protocols to measure SoX indicators necessary for the second-life characterization, in particular using EIS. CSEM will validate the algorithmic approach on a module from Libattion using its BMS. 

Iconiq Innovation Limited and Iconiq Innovation Spain will undertake dissemination and communication activities and lead Tech-Futures Analyses on behalf of the RECIRCULATE partners. Iconiq will also provide project management support and lead the quality and risk management activities. 

Minespider provides a blockchain-based traceability platform and will be involved in all tasks for data exchange relating to providence and characterisation. They will be responsible for designing concepts, workflows, and templates for data collected and shared via digital Battery Passports as well as building an MVP online marketplace. 

Concept diagram

Recent activities

Pictures from the event with participants in them

RECIRCULATE project officially started on May 1, 2023.

The project kick-off meeting took place in Helsinki, Finland on June 1, 2023.


This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under the Grant Agreement No 101103972.

HORIZON-CL5-2022-D2-01-10: Streamlined collection and reversed logistics, fully automated, safe and cost-efficient sorting, dismantling and second use before recycling (Batteries Partnership).


Contact

Athith Sagar


Tero Kaarlela