Fraunhofer IEG has launched a three-year European Union project titled “Battery Passport for Resilient Supply Chain and Implementation of Circular Economy” (BASE) to revolutionize battery supply chains and sustainability practices.
The project will demonstrate a digital battery passport leveraging blockchain technology to enhance data traceability, resource tracking, and compliance with EU regulations.
The BASE initiative is designed to meet the European Union’s 2023 battery market regulation, which mandates the implementation of a digital battery passport by 2027.
Starting in 2026, batteries sold in the EU will require specific labelling to indicate components, recycled material content, and other essential details.
From 2027, these will include a mandatory QR code linked to the digital passport. The goal is to provide transparency along the entire battery value chain while facilitating sustainable practices such as recycling and reuse.
The BASE project will test the functionality, data integrity, and value creation of a digital battery passport. The initiative includes developing four demonstrators across various sectors, including automotive and maritime. For example:
- Mercedes-Benz Türkiye’s eCitaro electric buses and Ford Otosan’s EV platforms will serve as automotive pilots.
- Additional pilots will focus on maritime applications and stationary energy storage systems.
Fraunhofer IEG leads the consortium, which includes:
- Other Fraunhofer institutes: SCAI and ISE.
- Industry players like Mercedes-Benz Türk, Corvus Energy, Ford Otosan, and Exitcom Recycling.
- Research and innovation bodies such as the European Lithium Institute (eLi) and the University of Surrey.
Associated partners include prominent organizations such as SQM and Technovative Solutions Limited.
A Transparent, Data-Rich Battery Passport
The digital battery passport will document every stage of a battery’s lifecycle—from production to recycling. It will store critical information such as:
- Year of manufacture.
- Material composition.
- Operating parameters.
- Recycling and dismantling instructions.
Dynamic data like temperature curves, charging cycles, and error codes will also be continuously updated using blockchain technology.
This ensures secure, transparent, and distributed data storage, enabling efficient battery management and future applications.
According to Dr. Shahin Jamali, coordinator of the BASE project, “A truly green battery must offer transparent information about its origin, composition, and lifecycle status. The digital battery passport makes this possible.”
Beyond the passport itself, BASE will develop AI and analytics tools to estimate key performance indicators for battery safety, lifecycle efficiency, and environmental impacts.
These innovations aim to support circular economy principles while addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations.
Fraunhofer IEG’s BASE project positions the EU at the forefront of battery innovation and sustainability, paving the way for a greener, more efficient battery ecosystem.
