With the rapid and exponential expansion of the lithium-ion battery (LIB) market, a new regulatory framework has been introduced, centered on the implementation of a Battery Passport (BP) to enhance transparency, traceability, and sustainability across the battery value chain. This review aims to provide the context in which the BP is being implemented by discussing the reliance of LIBs on critical raw materials (CRMs), as well as the related economic and regulatory aspects of the BP system. Furthermore, it examines ongoing BP initiatives and pilot projects and discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with this tool, highlighting its central role in enabling a circular LIB economy in Europe. A critical analysis from a research-oriented perspective is also provided.

Silicon-rich anodes were investigated as promising alternatives to graphite for lithium-ion batteries operating at sub-zero temperatures. Micro-sized silicon particles were employed with a capacity-limitation strategy (1000 mAh g-1) to mitigate mechanical stress and volume expansion during cycling. Electrochemical performance was assessed in three-electrode half-cells and bi-layer pouch full-cells (Si - NMC811) at temperatures ranging from 25°C down to −25°C. Despite the increased polarization and hysteresis observed in the galvanostatic charge/discharge profiles at low temperatures, micro-Si anodes retained a reversible lithiation/delithiation behaviour and high coulombic efficiency. Full-cell response was mainly affected by the NMC cathode, while the Si anode exhibited good capacity retention. These results demonstrate that capacity-limited micro-silicon anodes enable stable and efficient operation under cold conditions, providing a scalable, safe, and cost-effective route toward next-generation lithium-ion batteries and reducing reliance on graphite now listed as a critical raw material in the EU.

The extraction of valuable carbon‐based products from CO ₂ reduction represents a promising route to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote circular economy practices, and facilitate the integration of energy storage sources such as Li‐ion batteries (LIBs). Using such extremely valuable sustainable products obtained from the CO ₂ capture process can solve not only the global warming problems but also the high demand of the battery industry to provide graphite and highly conductive additives. Herein, a carbon nanomaterial (CNM) extracted from CO ₂ reduction treatment is used as the conductive additive in LIB graphite anode and lithium iron phosphate cathode. The electrodes are produced by casting, using both the conventional poly(vinylidene fluoride) binder, dissolved in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, and sodium alginate as a green, water‐soluble, alternative binder. The electrochemical performance of the CNM‐based electrodes is here compared to that of LIB cathodes and anodes produced with a commercial carbon additive. The electrodes featuring CNM offer electrochemical performance close to those of conventional electrodes in which commercial conductive additives are utilized.

Accurate determination of the lithium‐ion diffusion coefficient ( ) is essential for understanding mass‐transport limitations in graphite anodes and for improving the performance of lithium‐ion batteries. However, the calculation of obtained from pulsed electrochemical techniques critically depends on the assumed active surface area, for which no standardized definition currently exists. In this work, we quantitatively assess how different surface area approximations—geometrical area, scanning electron microscopy‐derived area, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area—affect the diffusion coefficient extracted from galvanostatic intermittent titration technique and intermittent current interruption analyses. Both methods were applied to a commercial graphite electrode using an identical dataset, enabling a direct and unbiased comparison of diffusion trends. We show that the choice of surface area leads to variations in spanning several orders of magnitude, due to the squared dependence of the area term in the diffusion equation. Overall, our results demonstrate that careful and consistent surface area selection is crucial for reliable diffusion measurements and for ensuring comparability across studies.

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) represent the dominant energy storage technology, and as their demand continues to rise, the efficient recycling and recovery of critical elements from their cathodes become increasingly important. Direct recovery of active electrode materials from spent LIBs or electrode manufacturing scraps offers an effective strategy to obtain secondary materials that are ready for reuse in electrode reconstruction and reintegration into the LIB supply chain. In direct recycling processes, active materials must first be detached from their current collectors. This separation is typically achieved either through thermal decomposition of the binder, that is typically a per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) like polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), or by dissolving the binder in dipolar aprotic solvents, which are unsuitable for large‐scale applications due to their toxicity. This study investigates the direct recovery of both active materials and the PVDF polymeric binder from real LiCoO ₂ cathode production scraps. Separation from aluminum and current collector was accomplished using the green solvent triethyl phosphate, while process parameters such as dissolution time, temperature, and solid‐to‐liquid ratio were systematically optimized. The recovered active material and binder were subsequently characterized using multiple analytical techniques and reused for electrode remanufacturing, confirming the effectiveness of this environmentally friendly and readily scalable process.

Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs), for their high energy density, are considered key drivers in the transition of our society toward a sustainable energy future. In parallel with the exponential growth of the LIB market, a new regulatory framework that involves the implementation of a Battery Passport (BP) has been launched. This review aims to provide the context in which the BP is being implemented by discussing the reliance of LIBs on critical raw materials, as well as the related economic and regulatory aspects of the BP system. The BP is presented as a strategic tool for data tracking and transparency and for promoting sustainability across the LIB supply chain. We present ongoing BP initiatives and pilot projects and discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with this tool, which plays an important role in enabling a circular LIB economy in Europe.