The Horizon Europe-funded NoVOC project is transforming battery manufacturing by eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from lithium-ion battery production. By developing innovative dry and aqueous (water-based) processing methods for electrode manufacturing, NoVOC is making battery manufacturing safer, more sustainable, and cost-efficient. This will help European battery manufacturers reduce environmental impact while maintaining high-performance energy storage for electric vehicles and other applications.
Batteries are essential – but how they are made must change
Lithium-ion batteries power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles (EVs). However, the traditional way of manufacturing these batteries relies on harmful organic solvents, such as N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as well as persistent polymer binder polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). These chemicals are not only hazardous to human health but also contribute to environmental pollution.
The NoVOC project is tackling this issue by replacing solvent-based processes with VOC-free manufacturing methods and PFAS-free binders, focusing on aqueous and dry electrode production. This approach has the potential to cut manufacturing costs, reduce toxic emissions, PFAS-free binders and make batteries greener without compromising performance.
How NoVOC is changing battery production
The NoVOC project brings together leading European battery researchers and manufacturers to develop, test, and scale VOC-free battery production technologies. The key innovations include:
- Aqueous Electrode Manufacturing: Using water instead of hazardous solvents to coat battery electrodes.
- Dry Electrode Manufacturing: A cutting-edge process that completely removes liquids, making battery production more energy-efficient.
- Pilot Scale Testing: Demonstrating these new methods at an industrial scale, ensuring they are ready for full-scale implementation by European battery manufacturers.
- Sustainability & Recycling: Enhancing battery recyclability by reducing the need for harmful chemicals, improving Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) outcomes.
One project, many benefits for the battery industry
With the support of Horizon Europe funding, NoVOC is working with key industry partners to integrate these new methods into the European battery production landscape. By eliminating harmful VOCs, the project will:
- Improve workplace safety for battery production workers.
- Reduce environmental impact by removing toxic emissions.
- Lower production costs by eliminating the need for expensive solvent recovery systems.
- Strengthen European battery manufacturing by providing sustainable, competitive alternatives to existing methods.
The transition to VOC-free battery production is essential as Europe scales up its battery manufacturing capacity to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
A step towards a greener battery industry
NoVOC isn’t just about cleaner manufacturing – it’s about securing Europe’s place at the forefront of sustainable battery innovation. By eliminating hazardous substances, NoVOC is paving the way for a battery industry that is safer for people and better for the planet.
Author of the press release: Anwar Ahniyaz, Senior Scientist at RISE, Research Institutes of Sweden, Bioeconomy and Health Division
Website: www.novoc.eu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/novoc-project
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NoVOCProject
Contact information: Nicole Schmidt, Communication Manager, EUTEMA Research Services GmbH, schmidt@eutema-research.eu
