Exploration batteries circularity

The purpose of this exploration is to gain insight into the value chain of batteries in the Netherlands. The exploration aims to answer the following core question: Is there a need for additional measures to support the circularity of the Dutch battery chain, and if so, what are they and what is their intended purpose? The following points are addressed:

1. International developments that play a role;
2. How the market, technology, and legislation are evolving;
3. The scope of the task that rests on the Netherlands;
4. How the chain is organized;
5. Identified barriers that hinder ambitions;
6. Measures and incentives that should be introduced to optimize the circularity of the Dutch battery chain.

The focus is on Lithium batteries (Li-ion), specifically NMC (nickel, manganese, cadmium), and LFP (lithium, phosphate, iron) types, as they account for over 90% in applications such as electric vehicles and machinery, stationary energy storage, and portable devices.

The exploration is based on desk research, consulting a multitude of national and international sources, and interviews involving organizations such as Auto Recycling Nederland, BCC-NL, EBRA, EPAC, Huiskes, NOWOS, OPEN, Reneos, Spiers New Technologies, Stibat, TES, TNO, Umicore (Belgium), and Van Peperzeel. The exploration was conducted with guidance from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, and the Battery Competence Cluster (BCC-NL).