Sustainability along the battery value chain is a much talked about goal but currently comes third after cost and performance. Historically, improved sustainability comes with a penalty in terms of cost and performance. This interplay will certainly evolve in the coming years. Ecological and social aspects driven by legislative frameworks guarantee recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) to prevent hazardous waste in landfills. The trend in the electric vehicle (EV) sector towards low-cost chemistries like lithium iron phosphate (LFP) represents a double-edged sword, as the recycling profitability of such materials is extremely low for the established recycling methods. Extending battery lifetime and enabling direct recycling, where anode and cathode materials maintain their structure and functionality, are key strategies to increase sustainability and profitability. However, their implementation necessitates a shift in LIB design priorities. This Perspective highlights design for circularity as an enabler for improved battery longevity and direct recycling and represents a key tipping element for reducing cost and increasing sustainability in LIB production and disposition concurrently. We outline challenges and opportunities in battery production with special focus on the European EV sector and define actions required from various stakeholders along the value chain to overcome the mindset of linear economies.

中文翻译：

---

循环电池设计：投资于可持续性和盈利能力


电池价值链的可持续性是一个备受关注的目标，但目前仅次于成本和性能。从历史上看，提高可持续性会带来成本和性能方面的损失。这种相互作用肯定会在未来几年发展。由立法框架驱动的生态和社会方面保证了锂离子电池 （LIB） 的回收利用，以防止危险废物进入垃圾填埋场。电动汽车 （EV） 行业向磷酸铁锂 （LFP） 等低成本化学品发展的趋势是一把双刃剑，因为对于既定的回收方法来说，此类材料的回收盈利能力极低。延长电池寿命和实现直接回收，使负极和阴极材料保持其结构和功能，是提高可持续性和盈利能力的关键策略。然而，它们的实现需要改变 LIB 设计的优先级。本展望强调了循环性设计，将其作为提高电池寿命和直接回收的推动因素，并代表了同时降低成本和提高 LIB 生产和处置可持续性的关键引证要素。我们概述了电池生产中的挑战和机遇，特别关注欧洲电动汽车行业，并确定了价值链上各个利益相关者需要采取的行动，以克服线性经济的思维方式。