Mapping a framework for substitution of hazardous substances : A study on a two-component adhesive
(2023) KASM15 20231Centre for Analysis and Synthesis
- Abstract
- Hazardous substances i.e., substances of concern pose a risk to both human health and the environment. Stricter regulations and increased focus on circular economy are pushing organisations to substitute hazardous chemicals to safer alternatives. Substitution can lead to a number of benefits, for example cost reductions and competitive advantages. There has been a growing focus on substitution since the early 1990s and there are several different step-by-step frameworks to how an organisation should work to achieve a successful substitution. In addition, there are a number of different tools and databases that can assist the organisation in the substitution work.
The purpose of this thesis was to study different frameworks for... (More) - Hazardous substances i.e., substances of concern pose a risk to both human health and the environment. Stricter regulations and increased focus on circular economy are pushing organisations to substitute hazardous chemicals to safer alternatives. Substitution can lead to a number of benefits, for example cost reductions and competitive advantages. There has been a growing focus on substitution since the early 1990s and there are several different step-by-step frameworks to how an organisation should work to achieve a successful substitution. In addition, there are a number of different tools and databases that can assist the organisation in the substitution work.
The purpose of this thesis was to study different frameworks for substitution and develop a suitable framework for Northvolt. The proposed framework was to be applied in theory on a 2-component adhesive used in the battery module of a battery pack with the aim of evaluating the framework. To study potential challenges with the adhesive in the recycling process, modules were to be sent to Northvolt's recycling facility.
The study was carried out with a broad literature study of mainly various frameworks, tools and databases. In addition, meetings with internal and external stakeholders were conducted with the main purpose of gathering information on the 2-component adhesive. Two site-visits were also undertaken at Northvolt Systems in Stockholm and the recycling facility in Västerås.
The study resulted in a framework of ten steps where the assessor, depending on the circumstances, can choose mainly between two different paths; chemical substitution or product substitution. Regarding the adhesive, an actual substitution was not to take place and the time limit gave no possibilities of a deeper study for actual alternatives. But the study showed how a substitution process can be carried out with the engagement of both internal and external stakeholders. Due to time constraints the recycling of the modules was not performed. However, the study showed that structural adhesives pose significant challenges in electronic products, especially for battery packs. (Less) - Popular Abstract
- Materials and chemicals are used in a variety of ways in modern society, such as in cell phones, computers, and clothes. Some chemicals have hazardous properties to various degrees. Severely hazardous substances pose a risk to human health and the environment and should be eliminated and substituted as much as possible.
Regulatory agencies are forcing organisations to minimise the use of hazardous substances by restricting them in different ways. A toxic-free environment has become a key priority with the growing focus on a circular economy. It is important with a non-toxic material flow to ensure a safe recirculating process. Altogether, substitution of hazardous substances is an important measure for organisations.
There has been... (More) - Materials and chemicals are used in a variety of ways in modern society, such as in cell phones, computers, and clothes. Some chemicals have hazardous properties to various degrees. Severely hazardous substances pose a risk to human health and the environment and should be eliminated and substituted as much as possible.
Regulatory agencies are forcing organisations to minimise the use of hazardous substances by restricting them in different ways. A toxic-free environment has become a key priority with the growing focus on a circular economy. It is important with a non-toxic material flow to ensure a safe recirculating process. Altogether, substitution of hazardous substances is an important measure for organisations.
There has been a growing focus on substitution since the early 1990s and there are several step-by-step guidelines developed by different organisations that aim to assist in successful substitutions. A substitution can have multiple benefits on a product. It can help to minimise the environmental impact of the product, reduce costs and satisfy legal or customer requirements. The main objective of the substitution is to substitute hazardous chemicals with less hazardous substances, ideally without compromising the technical functionality, the supply chain functionality and increase the cost.
The present study generated a step-by-step approach for the battery producer Northvolt on how to work with substitution. The framework consists of steps such as hazard and exposure assessment, technical and economic performance, and life-cycle aspects to facilitate a successful substitution.
The developed approach was applied in theory on a structural adhesive used in a battery pack, which consists of battery cells packed in modules as illustrated in Figure 1. Structural adhesives are often used to assemble high-tech products, such as battery packs, due to their high-strength characteristic. It was shown that these adhesives pose significant recycling challenges since it is difficult to separate them from the substrate when considering the life-cycle aspects. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9125357
- author
- Emmoth, Amalia LU
- supervisor
- organization
- alternative title
- Kartläggning av ett ramverk för substitution av farliga ämnen
- course
- KASM15 20231
- year
- 2023
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Alternatives assessment, hazardous substances, substitution, structural adhesives, battery packs, polymer technology
- language
- English
- id
- 9125357
- date added to LUP
- 2023-06-19 09:24:55
- date last changed
- 2023-06-19 09:24:55
@misc{9125357,
abstract = {{Hazardous substances i.e., substances of concern pose a risk to both human health and the environment. Stricter regulations and increased focus on circular economy are pushing organisations to substitute hazardous chemicals to safer alternatives. Substitution can lead to a number of benefits, for example cost reductions and competitive advantages. There has been a growing focus on substitution since the early 1990s and there are several different step-by-step frameworks to how an organisation should work to achieve a successful substitution. In addition, there are a number of different tools and databases that can assist the organisation in the substitution work.
The purpose of this thesis was to study different frameworks for substitution and develop a suitable framework for Northvolt. The proposed framework was to be applied in theory on a 2-component adhesive used in the battery module of a battery pack with the aim of evaluating the framework. To study potential challenges with the adhesive in the recycling process, modules were to be sent to Northvolt's recycling facility.
The study was carried out with a broad literature study of mainly various frameworks, tools and databases. In addition, meetings with internal and external stakeholders were conducted with the main purpose of gathering information on the 2-component adhesive. Two site-visits were also undertaken at Northvolt Systems in Stockholm and the recycling facility in Västerås.
The study resulted in a framework of ten steps where the assessor, depending on the circumstances, can choose mainly between two different paths; chemical substitution or product substitution. Regarding the adhesive, an actual substitution was not to take place and the time limit gave no possibilities of a deeper study for actual alternatives. But the study showed how a substitution process can be carried out with the engagement of both internal and external stakeholders. Due to time constraints the recycling of the modules was not performed. However, the study showed that structural adhesives pose significant challenges in electronic products, especially for battery packs.}},
author = {{Emmoth, Amalia}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Mapping a framework for substitution of hazardous substances : A study on a two-component adhesive}},
year = {{2023}},
}