Rivus Batteries' circular electrolyte project CEROF is completed – and we’re happy to share the results!
Together with IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Chalmers Industriteknik, and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, and in close collaboration with Preem AB, Fortum, Perstorp Group, Nouryon and BASF, Rivus has explored whether bio-based and recycled material side streams from Swedish industry can replace petrochemical feedstocks for the large-scale production of Rivus’ organic flow battery electrolytes.
Here’s what the project entailed:
• Chalmers Industriteknik mapped the waste and raw-material streams available from our industry partner companies (Preem, Fortum, Perstorp, Nouryon, BASF).
• RISE evaluated which of these streams could be converted into our organic electrolyte molecules and which synthesis routes would be required.
• IVL performed a high-level LCA comparing the impact from bio-based waste streams compared to conventional petrochemical sources.
And here are the results:
✔ Bio-based and recycled waste streams has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of our electrolyte production.
✔ These streams can serve as partial substitutes for fossil feedstocks, increasing circularity in Rivus’ value chain.
✔ However, the identified streams and volumes in this project are too limited to cover the full long-term demand, but sufficient to meaningfully replace a decent share of Rivus’ projected raw materials need.
This project is an important first step toward bio-based, low-impact raw materials for Rivus’ flow-battery electrolytes, and we’re incredibly grateful to collaborate with leading industry partners to take steps towards a more circular energy system. Heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved, including:
Preem AB – Johanna Rindebäck
Fortum Nordic – Karin Willquist
Perstorp Group – Magnus Johnson
Nouryon – Rolf Edvinsson
BASF – Klas Briland
RISE - Tobias Ankner
And to Klimatledande Processindustri for supporting the collaboration. Onward toward cleaner chemistry and more sustainable batteries!
