Swedish companies Stora Enso and Northvolt have been experimenting with entirely new materials for electric vehicle batteries, utilizing components sourced from trees in the forests of Northern Europe. This is expected to represent a significant advancement in the electric vehicle industry, promising lower costs and a more environmentally friendly approach.
New Factors in Electric Vehicle Battery Production
Automakers and energy companies worldwide are entering a race to develop electric vehicle batteries, seeking the most optimal components to drive the electric vehicle boom.
The latest experiment in the electric vehicle sector involves the use of wood-based components in electric vehicle batteries, making electric cars greener than ever.
Stora Enso, in collaboration with Northvolt, which is backed by Volkswagen, has developed a sustainable battery with an anode made from hard carbon derived from lignin, known as Lignode, sourced from wood in secondary forests in Northern Europe.
Through this joint development agreement, the two companies aim to establish the first industrialized battery that uses an anode made entirely from raw materials sourced in Europe, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of electric vehicle batteries.
Each company brings its strengths and in-depth expertise in battery production, which will significantly contribute to the advancement of this initiative. Stora Enso will supply the lignin-based anode material called Lignode, produced from wood in secondary forests in Northern Europe. Lignin is a plant-derived polymer found in the cell walls of plants, accounting for 20 to 30% of a tree’s composition. Stora Enso has a pilot plant in Finland where it produces approximately 50,000 tons of lignin annually from biomass-based carbon materials. It is currently exploring the potential for industrial production of Lignode.
Johanna Hagelberg, Executive Vice President in charge of biomaterials at Stora Enso, stated: “The collaboration plan with Northvolt marks a new milestone in electric vehicle battery production using tree-based materials. Our lignin-based hard carbon and Stora Enso’s Lignode will ensure a strategic supply of anode materials for Europe, catering to the demand for sustainable batteries for applications ranging from mobile devices to static energy storage.”
Illustrative image. Source: Reuters
Meanwhile, Northvolt will develop the design and manufacturing process for the battery cells, subsequently scaling up the technology for commercial production. Founded in 2016, Northvolt is a key supplier of essential materials for battery systems in Europe. To date, they have raised $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 enhancing its battery recycling capabilities with the goal of providing 50% of the raw materials for new batteries by the end of this decade.
Solutions for a Green Future
Emma Nehrenheim, Environmental Director at Northvolt, explained: “With this collaboration, we are exploring a new sustainable raw material source and expanding the battery value chain in Europe. At the same time, we are developing a less costly chemical battery. This is an exciting demonstration of how we pursue the battery industry alongside positive social and cost impacts.”
Automakers and energy companies are increasingly struggling to supply battery components. This delay is partly due to the global supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as shortages in active mining projects. The International Energy Agency has noted that there is a rising demand for raw materials, necessitating extensive mining to meet global needs.
Some countries aim to phase out the sale of gasoline and diesel vehicles by the end of this decade, prompting automakers to compete in developing the best and most cost-effective electric vehicle models as demand from major markets like Europe, North America, and Asia rapidly increases.
In June, the EU became a pioneer by deciding to ban the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2035. However, this ban will require significant investments in research, development, and battery production, as well as scaling mining operations globally.
The decision to prohibit gasoline and diesel vehicles is part of governments’ goals to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, transitioning dependency from one natural resource to another could threaten other materials.
Projects focused on producing anodes from wood materials could provide a more sustainable alternative for battery development. If new renewable components can be developed for battery production, it will reduce reliance on mining, which can lead to widespread environmental degradation.
While automakers and energy companies race to develop the most innovative and efficient lithium-ion batteries, some other companies are taking a different approach. They are searching for alternative materials for battery production. If these companies succeed in finding alternatives to the intensive mining of natural resources for their battery development, it could provide them with the competitive edge needed to make their products stand out and be more sustainable.
