Sustainable batteries from waste from trees: The Lignup project of the University of Jena

Sustainable batteries from waste from trees: The Lignup project of the University of Jena

new battery technology from recycled wood waste

In a groundbreaking initiative, a research team from the University of Jena developed an innovative method to produce sustainable battery materials from Lignin, a waste product made of wood. Lignin, a biopolymer that occurs in large quantities in trees, is usually considered and burned as a waste. But the researchers see it a potential that has so far remained unused.

The Lignup project: recycling material instead of waste

As part of the “Lignup” project, the research team is working on establishing Lignin as a valuable raw material. With the support of the Carl Zeiss Foundation, the six-year project is funded with almost five million euros. The main goal of the team is to develop functional materials that enable a sustainable Alternative for conventional energy storage. Instead of setting critical metals such as lithium, cobalt and manganese, the researchers focus on producing battery materials based on Lignin.

The use of Lignin as the basis for battery materials could mean an important step towards an environmentally friendly energy supply. Instead of using finite resources such as lithium, recycled wooden waste material could offer sustainable and widespread energy storage solution.

Why this technology is important

The development of battery materials from Lignin could be a paradigm shift in the energy storage industry. By reducing critical metals such as lithium, the technology could help reduce the environmental impact of battery production and to promote a more sustainable energy industry.

- Nag