After expensive materials like lithium or nickel, this unexpected material will create a new step in the production of electric vehicle batteries.

New factor in electric vehicle battery manufacturing industry

Automakers and energy companies across the globe are entering the electric vehicle battery race to find the best components to fuel the electric vehicle boom.

The latest experiment in the field of electric vehicles is the use of wooden components in electric vehicle batteries, making electric cars greener than ever.

Stora Enso from Sweden, Northvolt, backed by Volkswagen, has co-developed a sustainable battery with an anode manufactured from lignin-based hard carbon called Lignode, which is derived from wood in secondary forests. Born in Northern Europe.

Through a joint development agreement, the two companies hope to establish the first industrialized battery using an anode made entirely from European raw materials, helping to reduce the battery’s carbon footprint. tram.

Each company has its strengths and in-depth experience in battery production, which will be a great contribution to the development of this plan. Stora Enso will supply a lignin-based anode material called Lignode, which is produced from wood in the secondary forests of Northern Europe. Lignin is a plant-based polymer made from the cell walls of dry soil plants, accounting for 20 to 30% of plants. Enso already has a pilot plant that it uses for bio-based carbon materials in Finland, producing about 50,000 tons of lignin per year. It is currently studying Lignode’s industrial production potential.

Johanna Hagelberg, Executive Vice President of Biomaterials at Stora Enso said: “The plan to partner with Northvolt marks a new step forward in the production of electric vehicle batteries with plant-based materials. Hard carbon is based on plant materials. on our lignin and Stora Enso’s Lignode will secure a strategic supply of anode materials to Europe, serving the sustainable battery demand for applications ranging from mobile to static energy storage .”

Illustration. Source: Reuters

Meanwhile, Northvolt will develop the cell design and manufacturing process, and then scale the technology for commercial production. Northvolt was founded in 2016 and is a European supplier of key materials for battery systems. It has so far attracted $55 billion from companies such as BMW, Fluence, Scania, Volkswagen, Volvo Cars and Polestar to develop a low-carbon lithium battery. The company is also developing its battery recycling capabilities with the goal of providing 50% of the raw materials for new batteries by the end of the decade.

Solutions for a green future

Emma Nehrenheim, Environment Manager at Northvolt explains: “With this partnership, we are exploring a new source of sustainable raw materials and expanding Europe’s battery value chain. At the same time developing a chemical batteries are less expensive. This is an interesting demonstration of how we pursue the battery industry in tandem with positive social and cost implications.”

Automakers and energy companies are finding it increasingly difficult to source battery components. The cause of this delay is partly due to the global supply chain after the Covid-19 pandemic, in addition to the shortage in active mining projects. The International Energy Agency has explained that there is an increase in the demand for production materials, so it needs to be exploited widely to be able to supply enough for the global demand.

Several countries aim to phase out the sale of petrol and diesel cars by the end of the decade, so automakers are competing to develop the best, cost-effective electric vehicles. costs most when demand from major markets such as Europe, North America and Asia is increasing rapidly.

In June, the EU became a pioneer region when it decided to ban the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs) by 2035. However, banning these cars will require a large investment. in battery research, development and production as well as global expansion in mining operations.

The decision to ban petrol and diesel vehicles is in line with the Government’s goal of reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050. However, shifting this dependence from natural resources to natural resources. may put other materials at risk.

Wood-based anode projects could provide a more sustainable alternative to battery development. If new renewable components could be developed to make batteries, it would reduce dependence on mining, which can cause widespread environmental degradation.

While automakers and energy companies race to develop the most innovative and efficient lithium-ion batteries, others are going the opposite direction. They look for alternative materials to make batteries. If companies succeed in finding alternatives to the intensive exploitation of natural resources in their battery development, that could give them the competitive edge they need to make products their more prominent and sustainable.

According to Oilprice