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Circular E-Cars

A new research training group is focusing on the recycling of electric cars. The University of Siegen is involved with five chairs - scientists from Aachen, Münster and Wuppertal are also taking part. The research training group "Circular E-Cars" is being funded with 8.4 million euros.

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Project Description

Recycling as an Opportunity for the Rhineland Mining Region. The research training group Circular E-Cars has set itself the ambitious goal of transforming the Rhineland Mining Region into a leading European hub for research, development, and innovation aimed at establishing metal-focused circular economies for electric vehicles.

 

Because electric vehicles contain significantly more valuable non-ferrous metals as well as novel composites and plastics compared to conventional automobiles, the recycling of end-of-life electric vehicles holds enormous potential that has so far been underutilized. Current, manual disassembly processes are time-consuming and costly. This is precisely where the new research training group Circular E-Cars comes in. Ten chairs at RWTH Aachen University, together with five chairs at the University of Siegen, two research groups at Münster University of Applied Sciences, scientists from the Wuppertal Institute, the Sustainability Initiative of the Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Humboldt, and industrial companies, aim to develop the Rhineland mining region into a leading European hub for research, development, and innovation to establish metal-focused circular cycles for electric cars. The REVIERa transformation platform contributes extensive experience and supports the project through a network of over 50 local stakeholders.

Overview

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    Duration
    01.08.2024 - 31.07.2028 (running)

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    Research area
    Circular Economy and Sustainability

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    Funding
    Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

Related links

Project page
Article (DE): "Das Potenzial alter Elektroautos nutzen"

 

Research Objectives

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Digital twins of material flows

Development of an architecture for capturing, modeling, and utilizing digital twins for material flows in electric vehicle recycling. This enables transparent tracking of components and materials throughout their entire lifecycle.

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Information-based data models for recycling

Development of a comprehensive data model for sharing recycling information among all stakeholders in the value chain. This ensures that important data on material composition and recyclability is preserved.

 

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Metal-focused cycles

Establishing closed-loop systems with a particular focus on valuable metals from electric vehicles (such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel) in order to efficiently recover resources and reduce dependence on primary raw materials.

Research Methods & Procedures

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Systematic application of the R9 strategies throughout the entire life cycle

The project systematically applies the nine circular economy strategies (Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, Repurpose, Recycle, Recover) to all elements of innovative, circular value chains for electric vehicles. This is done through solution partnerships with companies and various industry stakeholders to preserve the value of products and materials.

2

Combination of reverse and forward engineering analyses

The research combines reverse engineering (analysis of existing material and product flows, disassembly, and processing) with forward engineering (development of new circular processes and products). It examines technical process chains in electric vehicle engineering, identifies existing and future barriers as well as success factors, and develops and validates participatory innovation models for SMEs.

3

Integration into an interdisciplinary innovation ecosystem with strong regional ties

The scientific findings will be integrated into the broader ecosystem comprising the Center for Circular Economy (CCE), the REVIERa transformation platform, the Mine ReWIR network, and the HumTec initiative. This enables a direct link between research, industrial practice, and regional stakeholders, including the training of skilled workers and the identification of future-oriented skills for structural change in the Rhineland mining region.

The Project Team

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Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Haring Bolívar

Professor
peter.haring@uni-siegen.de
+49 271 740-2157
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Ali Sohrabzadeh

Research assistant
Ali.sohrabzadeh@uni-siegen.de
+49 271 740 4421
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Dr.-Ing. Anna Katharina Wigger

Academic Senior Councillor
anna.wigger@uni-siegen.de
+49 271 740-3020
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Dr.-Ing. Daniel Stock

Research assistant
daniel.stock@uni-siegen.de
+49 271 740-2012
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Funding Agencies and Partners

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

 

Partners

  • RWTH Aachen mit IAT, CON, HumTec, AMT, Pt, IME, ANTS, CCE, IEHK, DAP

  • FH Münster mit LFM, IWARU

  • Universität Siegen mit IPEM, LMN, HQE, LPE, LMW

  • Wuppertal Institut

Non-subsidized investment and expertise partners: 

  • Achenbach-Buschhütten GmbH & Co. KG
  • Aconity GmbH
  • Aluminium Norf GmbH
  • Aurubis AG, C.D. Wälzholz GmbH & Co. KG
  • Carl Krafft & Söhne GmbH & Co. KG
  • Circular Valley, Ecka Granules Germany GmbH
  • EGN Entsorgungsgesellschaft Niederrhein mbH
  • Ford Motor Company
  • Humboldtn 
  • IBF der RWTH Aachen
  • IHK Aachen
  • Innovation GmbH
  • Jöst GmbH & Co. KG
  • Linetechnology GmbH
  • LMI – Laser Melting Innovations
  • Macrix Software GmbH
  • MPI für Eisenforschung
  • Speira GmbH
  • Stadt Aachen
  • Steinert GmbH

Further links

Uni Siegen website