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Circular Batteries and Green Metals

VISION: Finland with a circular battery ecosystem, and Finland as the leading supplier of green specialty steel, and other metals in Europe (e.g., for automotive and aviation)

  • Nordic end-to-end sustainable and circular battery ecosystem: Form a leading end-to-end sustainable battery ecosystem with sustainable extraction, green manufacturing, and circularity together with Nordic peers, such as Sweden
  • Alternative battery technologies: Position as a leader in alternative battery technologies, e.g., by leveraging bio-based lignin-materials in lithium-ion batteries to replace graphitic carbon
  • Green steel for consumer products: Become the leading European producer of green steel for consumer products (e.g., cooking products), helping brand owners broaden their sustainable offering
  • Green specialty steel for automotive: Become a leading European producer of green specialty steel for demanding end-use applications, helping e.g., automotive OEMs meet their net zero targets

“Finland is potentially the only European country with the opportunity to establish a sustainable circular battery ecosystem for European Markets.”
—Markku Kivistö, Head of Industry, Cleantech, Business Finland

SIGNIFICANT LEAP IN TERMS OF EXPORTS AND HANDPRINT

The iron and steel industry alone cause 7% of global GHG emissions. In travel and transport, electrification is the most significant lever to reduce emissions as the usage phase is responsible for 70%-90% of emissions. For EV’s, existing battery manufacturing accounts for up to 50% of an EV’s lifetime footprint.

Global steel market is >€1 trillion, with growing demand for decarbonization driven by carbon border taxes and emission trading. The EU battery market is estimated to reach €25 billion by 2030. The total export potential for green steel and green batteries is estimated to be between €27 billion and €29 billion by 2035. The green alternatives are estimated to grow at a 15%-20% CAGR until 2035 (vs. conventional only 3%-4%).

In the steel industry, green steel produced using an electric arc furnace (EAF) and green hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (DRI) can reduce CO2 emissions from steel production by up to 100%, representing a carbon handprint of ~1.9 kg CO2 per kg of steel produced. Similarly, a medium-sized EV, powered by a sustainable battery produced in the Nordics, has an estimated handprint of ~38,000 kg CO2 over the car’s lifecycle compared to a conventional gasoline car.

LASTING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Finland has comprehensive mineral reserves, access to increasing renewable electricity, and bio-based raw materials (e.g., lignin) to leverage in alternative battery materials and technology.

ECOSYSTEM PLAYERS

The Moonshot brings together players to enable green metal and circular battery production (leveraging green hydrogen), building on the existing Responsible Mining network.

HOW COULD GOVERNMENT CATALYZE

  1. Through permits and regulation, enhance importance of sustainable mineral extraction and processing of mineral reserves as a building block for broader green transition
  2. Evaluate capability gaps to a green, end-to-end battery ecosystem, and coordinate its development through a Center of Excellence, focusing on circularity and capability development beyond raw materials step (e.g., processing of cathode active materials and bio-based anode materials)
  3. Support academic research and first movers in scaling emerging electrification technologies in metals industry as well as biochar and hydrogen utilization. Promote circularity as an integral part of the emerging battery ecosystem

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