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**Bax Innovation is a forward-thinking innovation consultancy dedicated to transforming ideas into societal impact. Our work in circularity spans a multitude of industries and topics, including wind energy, battery storage, sharing cities, and the urban bio-economy.  We partner with organisations to design scalable solutions for the circular economy, focusing on reducing waste and optimising resource use.**

Our expertise encompasses:​

**Materials circularity:** Identifying, evaluating, and shaping interventions that create maximum value from materials, ensuring they remain in use for as long as possible.​

**Circular business modelling:** Developing, testing, and scaling business models that create, retain, or recover value, facilitating the transition from linear to circular practices.​

**Creating circular value networks:** Bringing together stakeholders to transfer knowledge, take action, and create shared value, fostering collaborative approaches to circularity.​

By collaborating with public and private sector leaders, Bax is driving practical, impactful circular economy solutions across industries. Our case studies exemplify how circular principles can be applied to a wide range of challenges—from energy and materials to urban systems and the sharing economy. Through this collection, we share insights and learnings to inspire further action in creating a sustainable, circular world.

**For more information on our work and projects, please visit: [https://baxcompany.com/case-studies/](https://baxcompany.com/case-studies/)**

**If you'd like to reach out to a member of the team, email us at [contact@baxcompany.com](mailto:contact@baxcompany.com)**

Bax Innovation

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Article / Report

Direct and indirect reduction in economic costs

Cost Savings

Efficiency gains on operations or transactions either through cultural or technological shifts

Productivity

Impact on the ease of innovation, and facilitating uptake of innovations

Innovation

Reduced green house gas emissions released into the biosphere

Reduce Emissions (SDG13)

Reduced use of fossil fuel energy sources and/or increased use of renewable energy

Reduce Energy Consumption

Producing electronics products for businesses and consumers, including cellular phones, personal computers, printers, servers, electronic computer components and peripherals, TVs, audio equipment, as well as household appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, etc.

Electronics and Appliances

Providing air, water, rail, and land transportation and related services for the distribution of goods, such as air freight, air courier and logistics services, maritime freight, marine courier and logistics services, rail freight, rail courier and logistics services, land freight, land courier and logistics services, including package and mail delivery and customs agents, as well as storage and warehouse facilities

Logistics Services

Producing transportation equipment for the movement of goods and people by air, rail, sea, and land, including airplanes, spacecraft and military equipment, ships, boats, rail locomotives and rolling stock, motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers, and related equipment, as well as repair services for such equipment

Transportation Equipment

Producing electric cables and wires, power-generating equipment, including solar modules, motors, power turbines, as well as electronic equipment and instruments, including computer chips, communication equipment, analytical instruments, lasers, display screens, point-of-sales machines, security system equipment, and healthcare equipment

Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Providing repair services or maintenance services for products or parts

Product maintenance, repair

Activities to clean, decorate, and restore products back to working condition for original or new purposes

Refurbishment, remanufacturing, renovation

Providing services through a subscription plan with regular payment schemes

Subscription-based services

Designing products of multiple parts that can be easily disassembled

Design for disassembly

Designing products to remove any barriers to recycling and enable easy recyclability

Design for recycling

Designing products so they are able to be easily repaired

Design for repair

Designing products to be reused for the same or different purposes in multiple lifecycles

Design for reuse

Working together with stakeholders and parties in other unrelated industries to implement circular economy strategies and opportunities

Cross-industry projects, pilots

Working together with industry peers to engage in business activities or exploratory projects that advance the circular economy

Joint industry ventures, projects, pilots

Employing artificial algorithms and robotics to identify, enable and/or implement circular strategies (eg. effective resource use & logistics planning, circular business models & design)

Advanced robotics, artificial intelligence

Utilising data and models to to identify, enable and/or implement circular strategies (eg. effective resource use & logistics planning, circular business models & design)

Data analytics, modelling

Connecting products and services into the internet of things to identify, enable and/or implement circular strategies (eg. effective resource use & logistics planning, circular business models & design)

Internet enabled, connected operations

Developing or utilising online platforms to enable circular economy opportunities through information, product or service offering

Online platforms

Data, knowledge & information sharing

Extended Producer Responsibility

**Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all**

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Access to electricity and clean cooking fuels has improved in many parts of the world, but 675 million people are yet to be connected to the grids and 2.3 billion are still cooking with unsafe and polluting fuels. 
The war in Ukraine and global economic uncertainty continue to cause significant volatility in energy prices, leading some countries to raise investments in renewables and others to increase reliance on coal, putting the green transition at risk. If the current pace continues, about 660 million people will still lack access to electricity and close to 2 billion people will continue to rely on polluting fuels and technologies for cooking by 2030. 

To ensure access to energy for all by 2030, we must accelerate electrification, increase investments in renewable energy sources, and invest in improving electricity grids.

This goal's targets include: 
- ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services;
- increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix;
- double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency;
- enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
- enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.

Source : [https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal7](https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal7)

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7. Affordable and clean energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

**Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation**

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The manufacturing industry’s recovery from COVID-19 remains incomplete and uneven: some high-income regions achieved record-high manufacturing value added per capita in 2022 but levels in LDCs were not much higher than the 2015 baseline. 
In the aftermath of the pandemic, data show that higher-technology industries recovered faster and proved to be more resilient, pointing to the need to promote innovation and technology transfer in a way that benefits all countries. 

Inclusive and sustainable industrial development has been incorporated, together with resilient infrastructure and innovation, as Sustainable Development Goal 9 in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

To achieve Goal 9 by 2030 it is essential to support LDCs, invest in advanced technologies, lower carbon emissions, and increase global mobile broadband access.

This goal's target includes:
- develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all;
- promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries;
- increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets;
- by 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities;
- enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending;
- facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries through enhanced financial, technological and technical support to African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States;
- support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities;
- significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020.

Sources: [https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal9](https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal9)
[https://sdgs.un.org/topics/industry](https://sdgs.un.org/topics/industry)

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9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure  

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

**Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns**

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The world is seriously off track in its effort to halve per-capita food waste and losses by 2030.The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on consumption and production patterns, with disruptions to global supply chains and changes in consumer behaviour. 

Responsible consumption and production must be an integral part of the recovery from the pandemic. 
But the global economy also needs to speed up the decoupling of economic growth from resource use by maximizing the socio-economic benefits of resources while minimizing their negative impacts. 

Reporting on corporate sustainability has tripled since the beginning of the SDG period, but the private sector will need to significantly improve reporting on activities that contribute to the SDGs. 

This primarily entails environmentally sound management of "toxic chemicals" A substantial use of chemicals is essential to meet the social and economic goals of the world community, and these can be used with a high degree of safety when best practices are followed.  Gross chemical contamination, with grave damage to human health, genetic structures reproductive outcomes, and the environment, has been continuing within some of the world's most important industrial areas, and restoration will require major investment as well as the development of new techniques.
Effective control of the generation, storage, treatment, recycling and reuse, transport, recovery and disposal of hazardous wastes is another similar challenge. 
In addition,  solid wastes include all domestic refuse and non-hazardous wastes such as commercial and institutional wastes, street sweepings construction debris, and, in some countries, human wastes. As hazardous waste is frequently intermixed with other waste, this poses particular management challenges.
Finally, this target ensures that radioactive waste is safely managed, transported, stored and disposed of, with a view to protecting human health and the environment. 

To deliver SDG12, it is crucial to implement policies that support the shift to sustainable practices and decouple economic growth from resource use.

Sources: [https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal12](https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal12)
[https://sdgs.un.org/topics/chemicals-and-waste](https://sdgs.un.org/topics/chemicals-and-waste)

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12. Responsible consumption and production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

**Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts**

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The science is clear: our climate is heating rapidly. The average global temperatures have increased by 1.2 degrees Celsius since 1880, particularly in the late 20th century. The concentration of atmospheric CO2, the GHG that contributes more than 2/3 to global warming, is at its highest level ever. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) steadily points out that human activities have warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land, producing widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere. 

Without transformative action starting now and within this decade to reduce greenhouse gas emissions deeply and rapidly in all sectors, the 1.5°C target will be at risk and with it the lives of more than 3 billion people. 
According to IPCC, warming beyond 1.5 degrees could have irreversible and irreparable consequences. However, effective and equitable adaptation and mitigation actions can significantly reduce vulnerability and contribute to climate resilience. To limit global warming to well below 2, preferably 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels, countries came together to hold themselves accountable under the Paris Agreement. 

Failure to act leads to intensifying heat waves, droughts, flooding, wildfires, sea-level rise, and famines. Emissions should already be decreasing now and will need to be cut almost by half by 2030 - a mere seven years from now. 


To combat climate change and its impacts by 2030, urgent and transformative action is needed to meet the commitments under the Paris Agreement across mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Sources: [https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal13](https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal13)
[https://sdgs.un.org/topics/climate-action-synergies](https://sdgs.un.org/topics/climate-action-synergies)

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13. Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Slow strategies aim to keep materials in use for as long as possible, for example through design for durability and repairability. A more circular economy is also a slower one: materials, components, and products—and even buildings and infrastructure—that we lock in stocks are made to last. This will lower material demand in the long run, in essence also serving to narrow resource flows.

Slow

Cycle strategies aim to cycle and reuse materials at their highest value: they maximise the volume of secondary materials re-entering the economy, ultimately minimising the need for virgin material inputs and therefore also narrowing flows. Of course, virgin materials will always be needed to a degree: all materials degrade and can’t be cycled infinitely, use energy, and require blending with virgin materials to maintain strength and functionality.

Cycle

Impacts

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Industries

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A framework of policy instruments that enabled and encourage the transition to the circular economy

Policy Instruments

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A framework of policy instruments that enable and stimulate the transition to the circular economy

The principles of a circular economy concern designing out waste, regenerating ecosystems and keeping items in use. Decoupling the economy from material flows—improving the rate of resource productivity faster than the economic growth rate—is also a consistent guide. By evolving with the growing number of applications of circular economy principles, and consolidating these strategies across thematic areas, Circle Economy’s Key Elements Framework (KE) renders the elements of the circular economy salient and serves as a basis to derive contextual strategies and interventions. 


The Framework consists of:
- Core Elements: Activities directly handling product or material flows; and uniquely,
- Enabling Elements: those that remove obstacles for core actors.


Key elements of the circular economy

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Circle Economy's framework of strategies and activities that define the circular economy

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**These 17 Goals recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.**

The SDGs build on decades of work by countries and the UN, and especially on the Millennium Declaration adopted in September 2000 at UN Headquarters in New York which let to the elaboration of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce extreme poverty by 2015.

In 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed. A major blueprint came out of this: The Sustainable Development Goals: 17 overarching goals—and 169 targets—that governments are aiming to meet by 2030. Significant progress has been made in terms of poverty, health and inequality, but there's still a way to go. This is where the circular economy comes in: by circulating resources multiple times, the circular economy tackles issues of scarcity and allows all to access what they need—without overburdening the earth. If it's implemented in a holistic way—affording attention to social considerations and the fair distribution of resources— it also offers a pathway for achieving the SDGs; and the link between the two is ever-growing. To read more about the link between the SDGs and the circular economy, click [here](https://www.circle-economy.com/blogs/how-the-circular-economy-can-help-us-reach-the-sustainable-development-goals).

It is the Division for Sustainable Development Goals (DSDG) in the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) which provides substantive support and capacity-building for the SDGs and their related thematic issues. TheDSDG plays a key role in the evaluation of UN systemwide implementation of the 2030 Agenda and in advocacy and outreach activities relating to the SDGs. In order to make the 2030 Agenda a reality, broad ownership of the SDGs must translate into a strong commitment by all stakeholders to implement the global goals. DSDG aims to help facilitate this engagement.
Alongside this, the annual High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development serves as the central UN platform for the follow-up and review of the SDGs.
In addition, the UN Secretary-General presents an annual SDG Progress report, which is developed in cooperation with the UN System, and based on the global indicator framework and data produced by national statistical systems and information collected at the regional level.

To read more information: [https://sdgs.un.org/goals](https://sdgs.un.org/goals)

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Based on the work of [Bocken et al. (2016)](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309699661_Product_design_and_business_model_strategies_for_a_circular_economy), the Four Flows Framework serves as a simple framework for managing resource flows in a circular economy by using less (Narrow), using for longer (Slow), using again (Cycle), and using clean, regenerative materials and energy (Regenerate).

These different principles of circular economy can be applied to our socioeconomic metabolism: we can design stocks like buildings, infrastructure, machinery, and vehicles to be rich resource mines for the future, and design manufactured goods and consumables to be cycled and made regenerative. Furthermore, the focus must also centre on getting more value out of fewer materials. Achieving the aims of a circular economy—minimising material use, regenerating the Earth, and preventing material losses—can be done through these four key strategies mentioned above.

Source: Circle Economy. (2023). *[The circularity gap report 2023](https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023)* (p.22). Amsterdam: Circle Economy. 

Four Flows Framework

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‍As electrification surges across all sectors, the challenge of responsibly managing End-of-Life (EoL) batteries becomes increasingly vital. Circu Li-ion, a start-up from Luxembourg co-founded by Antoine Welter (CEO) and Xavier Kohll (CTO), aims to address this challenge by automating the dismantling and diagnostic process for EoL battery treatment. The focus is particularly on EV, BESS, and micromobility (e.g., e-scooters, e-bikes) batteries, to make this step cost-efficient, scalable, and safe. This article explores Circu Li-ion's operations, highlighting its automated dismantling and testing technologies, and examines the company's business model and future plans.‍‍Automated disassembly of EV packs: Making scalable and cost-driven EoL vehicle treatment a reality‍When >2kWh batteries reach EoL, they can be introduced into upcycling and recycling streams, both of which rely on disassembly. In upcycling, they are disassembled, tested, and introduced into second life applications. If the battery condition is terminal, they undergo a complex recycling procedure, where the valuable minerals inside the Cathode Active Material (Nickel, Lithium, Manganese, Cobalt) are extracted and refined via metallurgical processes.Typically, the batteries undergo a mechanical pre-processing step in which the batteries need to be safely dismantled and discharged. Nowadays the disassembly of batteries is handled manually by certified high voltage technicians that endure high safety risk. The BDL consists of a robotic cell with flexible tooling, which help in the different steps of disassembly, e.g.unscrewing, picking-up the lid, removing modules & other components. The extracted parts are then separated into upcycling (ready for 2nd Life application) and recycling streams to be further processed. ‍The BDL is a unique mechatronic system that is based on proprietary software and data assets, esp. to enable computer vision, and flexible handling of deviation cases – a key requirement for handling products that have experienced years of use and various degrees of degradation.‍‍Large pack disassembly with Circu Li-ion‍Disassembling Micromobility packs down to cell level: Enabling 2nd Life applications for battery cells‍Circu Li-ion tackles the disassembly of small packs with a capacity below 2 kWh (micromobility, power tools, etc.) with four process steps. The process begins with a pre-diagnostic stage, where the battery pack undergoes a first check and is discharged to a safe level. The second step involves using an automated dismantling system that opens the battery in a streamlined manner with a robotic arm, replacing labour-intensive manual efforts and reducing time.‍The third step, a patented cell extraction process, optimises the dismantling process further by separating the cells from the busbars to singularise each cell. This phase improves the recovery rate of the EoL battery and enables diagnosis at the cell level, performed in the fourth step. The cell diagnosis involves a thorough testing phase where parameters such as State of Health (SoH) and internal impedance are measured to assess and qualify the condition of each cell. The extensive cell diagnostics enable the separation of cells into those that can be reused and those that need to be recycled.‍This process, presented by Circu Li-ion, can help reduce recycling costs by up to 30% and slash cell lifetime CO2 emissions by up to 50%.‍Circu Li-ion dismantling process for small packs‍‍‍The business model‍Circu Li-ion’s business model is comprised of different service levels: hardware services, software services and battery data services. Right now, the company has fully developed its hardware services and is working to bring its other offerings to the market. With these three distinct service offerings, the company aims to be present in different sectors of the battery value chain. ‍Circu Li-ion scales its business by providing its systems as 'Machines as a Service', where customers install the system on their premises and access both hardware and software for a monthly fee. The main customer segments for Circu Li-ion’s solution are various OEMs (EV, micromobility, power tool, forklift, etc.) seeking to extract the maximum value from their batteries and reduce their EoL footprint; upcycling customers looking to scale cost-efficiently; and battery pre-treatment recycling facilities aiming to automate the dismantling of incoming batteries to enable scalable recycling operations.‍‍Besides providing a physical service, the company is also venturing into the software domain. In the future, they aim to offer a digital service for recyclers. The main idea is to share the team's expertise through a digital battery library, providing recyclers with a guide on how to dismantle different types of batteries and automate their machinery. This service is designed for recycling companies with established methods in place that are looking to automate their processes without undergoing a costly and time-consuming R&D phase. Through a leasing contract, they can access Circu Li-ion's library of battery dismantling data and automated solutions, making their operations more cost-effective and reducing initial expenses.‍Lastly, with data being collected throughout the disassembly process, theBattery Data Service is emerging as a digital platform where players along the entire battery value chain can access a wealth of data points, predictive analytics, and strategic insights to improve recycling practices and material management and enable data-driven decision-making.‍Circu Li-ion's business model‍As the company’s services continue to develop, its first service (battery dismantling) is ready to enter the market, giving Circu Li-ion its name. The other two services point to a future where knowledge and innovation play crucial roles in shaping a greener, more efficient battery recycling landscape.‍Key challenges in the disassembly process‍Circu Li-ion's path forward involves reshaping how battery disassembly works and tackling the hurdles that startups typically face. In an industry where big players are slowly embracing automation, Circu Li-ion’s challenge is to demonstrate how its dismantling solution can set new standards. With the recycling sector dominated by established players, Circu Li-ion needs to find a system that accommodates the diverse range of batteries used in power tools, micromobility, and EV models.This requires finding a balance between having a standard process and being adaptable enough to handle the variety of the market. They are turning this challenge into an opportunity to revolutionise battery management by creating adaptable automation solutions.Facing typical startup hurdles, Circu Li-ion is dedicated to advancing its unique hardware solution. In a recent talk, they highlighted two major issues facing the nascent battery recycling industry: the need for significant upfront capital in large, centralised facilities and the lack of pressure from regulators and manufacturers to recycle. Circu Li-ion addresses this challenge by leveraging its specialised dismantling process in decentralised locations with low capital expenditure and by tangibly improving the business case for its customers. This has proven to attract investors to the company's promising growth path, allowing Circu Li-ion to continue its journey toward transforming the industry and promoting sustainability.Circu Li-ion’s unique offering is a service where disassembly machinery is adaptable to various form factors, allowing for an optimised process to disassemble batteries by integrating AI algorithms. Currently, its operations can measure up to 20 points in less than five seconds per cell. The company is also developing a model to quickly classify whether cells should go upstream for reuse or downstream for recycling. Furthermore, it is building a database library of all battery packs for its software offering, enabling users to control robots for automation.‍Circu Li-ion's upcycling & clean recycling streams‍The future of Circu Li-ion‍Circu Li-ion is planning to deploy its hardware solutions on a European scale in 2025 and prove the tangible value of its systems in operation at customer sites. The company follows a phased go to market strategy: Circu Li-ion operates a fully certified battery waste treatment facility in Germany where disassembly services are offered to customers at pilot scale. Demonstrating the prowess of systems during those operations, the company has signed the first commercial customers where systems are being installed at their sites in a “Machine as a service” model. Circu Li-ion plans to install dozens of such systems across Europe in the coming years and enter further regions beyond that. In addition to disassembly systems, the company is also prepared to integrate vertically and establish partnerships to offer additional adjacent services to its customers, e.g. discharging and diagnostics, and help digitize customer operations with high quality data services and products. To execute this plan, the company raised €8.5 million to date, consisting of €4.5 million in equity in a seed financing round led by BonVenture and complemented by €4 million in grants. A major milestone was the backing by the European Innovation Council, a highly selective grant program supporting European Deep Tech start-ups.Circu Li-ion has demonstrated industry traction, most recently by winning the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator to run a large-scale pilot with Amazon that aims to reduce the footprint of Amazon’s electric vehicle fleet operations. Besides that, they have also developed a significant network of clients in the sector from battery manufacturers, OEMs, to recyclers and upcyclers.‍Circu Li-ion's customers and partners ‍‍This case study was elaborated as part of the BatteReverse project by Bax with input from Circu Li-ion. The article is part of the Circular Business Cases series, which analyses existing business models for Li-ion batteries.‍‍Join the BatteReverse community for more industry insights shaping the battery circularity landscape.‍

Europe

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Circu Li-ion is a European battery upcycling company. Their mission is to save the planet by boosting the value of each battery.

Circu Li-ion

<p>Circu Li-ion, a Luxembourg-based start-up, has developed automated systems for dismantling end-of-life (EoL) lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles (EVs), battery energy storage systems (BESS), and micromobility devices. This innovation enhances the efficiency, safety, and scalability of battery recycling and upcycling processes, contributing to the circular economy in the energy storage sector.</p>