The University of Greenwich Business School is proud to lead on a very ambitious international collaboration, aimed at transforming the future of battery technology. Funded by Horizon Europe, the CIRCURBATT project (Circular Economy Innovations for Resilient, Competitive, and Sustainable Battery Technologies) has been awarded €5 million, with €4.3 million from the European Commission and €0.7 million in contributions by Switzerland.
This three-year initiative positions Greenwich Business School (GBS) at the forefront of global efforts to reshape Europe’s battery industry. With a focus on sustainability, cutting-edge technologies, and circular business models, CIRCURBATT is set to revolutionise the battery lifecycle - from raw material sourcing to end-of-life solutions.
Coordinating a consortium of ten leading organisations across Europe, the project aims to develop innovative Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) models, design eco-friendly solutions, and conduct ground-breaking pilot studies. These efforts will directly address the dual challenges of environmental impact and economic transformation in the battery sector.
Our Vision
The CIRCURBATT initiative aspires to:
- Revolutionise the entire battery lifecycle through circular economy solutions.
- Advance sustainable practices that reduce waste and dependency on raw materials.
- Foster global leadership in environmentally friendly and economically viable battery innovations.
A World-Class Partnership
The University of Greenwich collaborates with some of Europe’s top institutions, including:
- MEET Battery Research Centre (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 researcher in catalysis and chemical engineering, driving breakthroughs in battery manufacturing and recycling.
- 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 mobile hydrometallurgy, pioneering revolutionary techniques for recovering precious metals from batteries.
- Virtus Energy (VE): Industry pioneers ensuring real-world testing and validation turn ground-breaking ideas into market-ready innovations.
- Euro Funding (E-F): Strategic advisors ensuring the project stays aligned with EU initiatives and opens doors to future opportunities.
- Battronics AG (BATT): Swiss innovators advancing cutting-edge, high-energy-density batteries to power tomorrow’s world.
These partnerships, under the leadership of the GBS team, underscore the significance of the project as a game-changer for the global battery industry. Professor Li Zhou, co-director of the Networks and Urban Systems Centre (NUSC) and Principal Investigator for the CIRCURBATT project, commented:
"This is more than a project; it is a catalyst for change. Together, we are building a smarter, greener, and stronger Europe."
For more information or to collaborate on this transformative initiative, contact us at: zl14@gre.ac.uk ; W.Sun@greenwich.ac.uk
