Recycling 4.0

Abstract

Resource scarcity is a global challenge, especially in E-mobility. Currently, Electric vehicles (EVs) are considered as an attractive option on a pathway towards low emission mobility. Nevertheless, due to the increasing sales and acceptance of EVs, new challenges arise regarding the scarcity of utilized materials, especially regarding lithium-ion battery systems. Battery production is responsible for the major share of the environmental and economical impacts of the overall EV production. In order to tackle these challenges, resource-efficient processes and a circular use are necessary. Today, a variety of new Industry 4.0 technologies (such as high integrated production systems) are affordable and have reached maturity. Like Industry 4.0, also Recycling 4.0 aims at digitalization of processes but with the focus on the End of Life stage of products. The main goal of the German research project Re-*All Authors contributed equally to this research cycling 4.0 is to develop approaches, which enable advanced information creation, transfer and use along the entire supply chain. In this work, a holistic approach towards an advanced circular economy (Recycling 4.0) is shown. This approach combines methods from different areas (such as economics, mechanical engineering, and computer science) and paves the way towards an advanced circular economy. This paper introduces this approach by discussing the current situation of EV recycling and related judicial fundamentals. Furthermore, the overall approach is introduced, and the discipline-specific sub-approaches are discussed in detail. CCS CONCEPTS •Computer systems organization➝ Architectures➝ distributed Architectures •Social and professional topics➝Professional topics➝Computing industry➝Sustainability

Barriers and Enablers of Circular Economy Implementation for Electric-Vehicle Batteries: From Systematic Literature Review to Conceptual Framework

“…Low rate of returned batteries (BSC2) [8,30,31] (N = 3) Lack of information sharing of EoL process (BSC3) [31,[35][36][37] (N = 4)…”

“…Hsieh et al [46] highlighted that integrating the entire industry chain, including automakers, battery producers, used-car dealers, and recycling companies, was necessary to achieve a circular economy. Subsequently, information technology enabling end-to-end visibility across the supply chain and facilitating coordination among the involved stakeholders is vital to reduce uncertainty and facilitate better planning and response [36]. Garrido-Hidalgo et al [37] further demonstrated that the required information infrastructure is needed to support the effective operation of a circular supply chain.…”

“…EoL design for EVBs (design for disassembly) (ET1) [38] Innovative business model (ESC3) [4] Information digitalization (ET4) [36] Compositional uncertainty of EVBs (BT5) EVB standards (EP2) [38] Lack of standardization on EoL process (BT6) Standardization of EoL process (EP3) [42]…”

“…Policy and legislation on information sharing (EP6) [31] Information digitalization (ET4) [36] Uncertainty in supply (number and quality), price/value of EVBs (BSC4)…”

“…All the above-mentioned enablers contribute to the optimized EoL processes, thus enabling long-term technical and economic feasibility. It was evidenced in the German case that effective EoL processes are seen as the economic enabler for the circular economy of the EVBs [36]. Another example regards with the high cost of EoL processes which can be resolved through the combination of technical solutions (battery modularization) [31], supply-chain approach (appropriate business model) [4], policy (EVB standards) [27], and economic incentives [8].…”