In Switzerland, the CircuBAT program – supported by the federal government – aims to reduce the environmental impact of lithium-ion batteries used in the electric mobility sector, explains its director, Andrea Vezzini.
Electric cars offer ever-increasing range and continue to win over more consumers. But the lithium-ion batteries they rely on are expensive to buy and require rare resources like lithium and cobalt. Their production and recycling present major industrial and environmental challenges.
Launched in 2022, the Swiss CircuBAT program brings together over 30 partners from research and industry. It aims to optimize the lifecycle of batteries to reduce their ecological footprint and enhance the sustainability of electric mobility. Andrea Vezzini, the program’s director, explains.
Can batteries be made more environmentally friendly?
Andrea Vezzini: The CircuBAT program is driven by a clear ambition: to reduce the environmental footprint of lithium-ion batteries by applying circular economy principles. We’re exploring and developing ways to create a closed cycle in which batteries are used for as long as possible in their first life, then either repurposed or recycled more efficiently.
Why is this important?
Vezzini: The switch to electromobility will lead to such a high demand for materials that their availability cannot be guaranteed in the long term without recycling or recovery. A circular model allows us to make better use of resources, cut CO₂ emissions, and address the inequalities and environmental issues tied to the extraction of raw materials used in battery production, such as deforestation and biodiversity loss.
How exactly are you doing this?
Vezzini: The program, supported by Innosuisse, consists of six technical sub-projects along with a cross-disciplinary component focused on the business model. The first, led by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) and the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), aims to improve a water-based recycling process developed by the company Kyburz. The second focuses on developing a dry, solvent-free electrode coating (see glossary) to drastically cut energy consumption in manufacturing. A third, coordinated by BFH, is working on predictive models based on big data to extend battery life from their first use in electromobility.
For batteries that have reached the end of their initial life, two other projects – led by the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), EPFL and Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences – are exploring ways to repurpose them, for example, as energy storage for buildings. The sixth project of Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne is researching the automation of battery disassembly ("Module Disassembly", see glossary) to facilitate the repair and recycling of batteries. Lastly, the business model analysis – carried out by Empa and the University of St. Gallen – will help ensure the economic viability of a circular approach to lithium-ion batteries.
Why hold a CircuBAT conference?
Vezzini: The "CircuBAT2025" conference, taking place on November 13 and 14, 2025, in Bern, will mark the conclusion of the project and bring together international experts and thought leaders. The first day will be open to the public, featuring a project overview, expert talks, and a roundtable with representatives from politics, business, and science. Full details will be available soon at circubat.ch.
What impact will these innovations have on the mobility sector?
Vezzini: CircuBAT is a bold project aiming for systemic change. Building a new industry will take time, but we’re already seeing some tangible successes. For example, in early April, the company Librec inaugurated a new facility dedicated to recycling production scrap and used electric mobility batteries. The broader adoption of the solutions we’re developing will also depend on legislative support and the overall economic climate.
