EKOAKKU - Utilisation of industrial side streams in the production of low-carbon battery chemicals ekoakku

The project aims to drive innovation in battery production by utilizing industrial side streams, thereby enhancing battery performance, promoting low-carbon production, and improving the sustainability of the regions.

The technical objectives focus on utilizing industrial waste streams containing biochar, silicon, iron, phosphorus, and lithium as raw materials for battery chemicals. Biogenic silicon will be recovered from the food industry by-products, such as barley and oat husk. Biochar will be produced via the pyrolysis of biomass. In addition, industrial side streams contain graphite, which will be extracted and processed into anode-grade material utilizing thermal processes. Lithium iron phosphate will be manufactured using lithium, iron, and phosphorus sourced from by-products of the inorganic chemical industry.

A crucial aspect of the project is to strengthen research collaboration, which enables more effective resource and knowledge sharing, accelerates research outcomes, and amplifies the overall impact of the research. Promoting business cooperation is also a key objective, which accelerates the transfer of developed solutions and innovations for recovering industrial side streams into practice.

The project’s long-term impact could be both economically and environmentally significant. It can contribute to the wider adoption and uptake of the circular economy, reduce dependence on raw material imports, improve industrial competitiveness and create new business opportunities. The project will also support the green transition and the achievement of climate objectives and strengthen regional economic growth in Central and Northern Ostrobothnia and North Savo.