CIRCUBATT (Circular Economy Innovations for Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Battery Technologies)
The future of battery technology is here! The European Commission (EC) has awarded €5 million in Horizon Europe funding to the CIRCUBATT Project, with €4.3 million contributed by the EC and €0.7 million by Switzerland. This revolutionary initiative promises to reshape Europe’s battery industry with cutting-edge technology, circular business models, sustainability, and innovation.
Set to begin in January 2025, this three-year project brings together 10 leading organisations from eight countries, uniting their expertise to create smarter, greener, and more resilient batteries that drive both environmental and economic transformation.
Why CIRCUBATT Matters
At the heart of CIRCUBATT is the vision to revolutionise the entire battery lifecycle — from design and manufacturingto end-of-life recycling. By combining the latest advances in artificial intelligence (AI), sustainable materials, and innovative business models, this project will:
- Reduce Europe’s dependence on scarce raw materials.
- Slash environmental impacts with smarter recycling and reuse.
- Boost Europe’s competitiveness in the global battery race.
- Deliver energy solutions ready to tackle climate change head-on.
The Team Behind CIRCUBATT
The success of CIRCUBATT rests on a team of global innovators, each bringing unique strengths:
- University of Greenwich (UoG): The mission leader driving project coordination and sustainable business models, ensuring every solution aligns with circular economy principles.
- MEET Battery Research Center (University of Münster): Pioneers in materials science and electrochemistry, setting new standards in battery innovation.
- University of Essex (UESSEX): AI expert using big data analytics to revolutionise battery lifecycle management with smart, centralised systems.
- National Institute of Chemistry (NIC): Leading research in catalysis, reactions and chemical process engineering, driving breakthroughs in circular economy technologies, as well as assessment (e.g. SSbD).
- Shift Materials AS (SHIFT): The champions of sustainable materials, developing eco-friendly solutions that redefine battery technology.
- EFESTO (EST): Thought leader in battery pack design, integrating safety and sustainability for next-gen circular economy solutions.
- Kopacek KG (ISL): Experts in reuse and recycling of obsolete high tech products and implementing circular business models in practice, pioneering revolutionary techniques and business models for recovering precious metals from batteries.
- Virtus Energy (VE): Industry pioneers ensuring real-world testing and validation turning ground-breaking ideas into market-ready innovations.
- Euro Funding (E-F): Strategic consulting ensuring the project stays aligned with EU initiatives and opens doors to future funding opportunities.
- Battronics AG (BATT): Battery analysts specialising in battery market & technology, providing expertise and strategic solutions for successful market entry of next-gen batteries and cutting-edge innovations.
Game-Changing Innovation for a Sustainable Tomorrow
From exploring bold new business models like Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) and Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) to developing AI-powered tools for sustainability analysis, CIRCUBATT is about creating real-world impact. The project’s pilot studies will test and validate every innovation, ensuring practical applications that can reshape industries and lives.
Be Part of the Movement
“CIRCUBATT is not just another project, it’s a catalyst for change,” remarked Professor Li Zhou, Principal Investigator at the University of Greenwich. “Together, we’re building a smarter, greener, and stronger Europe that leads the way in sustainable energy.”
As the world looks for solutions to the climate crisis and rising energy demands, CIRCUBATT is paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future— reinventing energy, one cycle at a time.
