Delivery mode
Online
Estimated study time 54 hours, equivalent to 2 ECTS
Location
E-learning environment
Language
English
Scope
2 ECTS
Batteries: Raw Materials and Recycling
Ready to dive into the world of sustainable battery technology?
The world of batteries is evolving rapidly, driven by the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions and efficient recycling methods. Understanding the lifecycle of batteries, including the use of key raw materials, their sources, extraction processes, and recycling, is crucial in this dynamic landscape. This online course, grounded in cutting-edge research from Aalto University, provides you with the knowledge to navigate these changes.
Designed as an entry point into the complex world of battery technology, it offers a comprehensive collection of academic insights presented in an easily accessible format. You’ll delve into the processes of sourcing raw materials, battery material production, and the innovative recycling techniques that are shaping the future of energy storage.
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Benefits
This course offers a comprehensive overview of battery technology, equipping you with the knowledge to contribute to sustainable energy solutions. By exploring various aspects of batteries, including raw materials and recycling technologies, you’ll gain valuable insights into the processes that power our world. With a a broad overview on relevant subjects, this course provides tools to navigate and innovate in the field of battery technology.
1. Comprehensive Knowledge: Gain a thorough understanding of the role of batteries and raw materials in the green transition, from their components and chemistry to their history and future aspects.
2. Industry Insights: Learn about Finland’s National Battery Strategy 2025 and how government initiatives are enhancing the competitiveness of the battery industry, particularly in materials, manufacturing, reuse, and recycling.
3. Practical Skills: Explore the battery value chain and processes, including cutting-edge recycling technologies for battery waste, and understand the lifecycle analysis of batteries.
4. Future-Focused Learning: Stay ahead of the curve with insights into future aspects of battery technologies, preparing you for advancements and innovations in the field.
5. Benefit from flexible, self-paced learning: The course is available in English, has no prerequisites, and can be taken at anytime from anywhere in the world.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the course, you will be able to:
- Analyze the importance of batteries and raw materials in the shift toward sustainable energy systems
- Describe the core components and key properties of batteries, and the evolution of battery chemistries
- Analyze the battery value chain
- Identify resources and competencies of different stakeholders
- Identify key raw materials, examining their recyclability and sustainability, while utilizing lifecycle assessment (LCA) as a tool to quantify environmental impacts
- Discuss extraction of battery raw materials, their refining, and recycling technologies
- Identify the future trends in battery development and battery materials value chain
For
This course is for anyone with a keen interest in sustainable energy solutions and the future of battery technology, regardless of their professional background.
Whether you are an environmental professional aiming to enhance your expertise in sustainable energy, an engineer involved in battery design and recycling, a policy maker shaping regulations, or a student preparing for a career in energy storage, you will benefit from this online course. This program is also ideal for industry professionals in battery manufacturing, business analysts exploring market trends, researchers delving into battery technology, and general enthusiasts passionate about the future of sustainable energy.
Contents and Schedule
This course aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate and thrive in the evolving landscape of work.
This course consists of five chapters and each chapter has multiple sections. After each section, there is either a quiz or a reflection assignment so that you can reflect on what you have learned.
The language of the course is English, and all videos include subtitles.
You can complete the course flexibly at your own pace.
The estimated study time for the course is 27 hours. The recommended study schedule for the course is 4–5 hours per week over 5–6 weeks. However, the course allows flexible study patterns; you can decide on your own schedule and the speed of your progress. Learners have access to the course materials for 3 months.
Modules
Module 1: Introduction
- Transition from fossil fuels to a mineral-dependent green economy
- Key minerals required for batteries
- Potential pathways for energy and resource use in a green economy
- Battery production and its demand for metals and minerals
- Forecasts for resource needs, supply challenges, and industry growth
- Sustainability Impacts of raw materials and metals production
Module 2: Battery Basics: Components, Chemistry, and History
- Battery components and their functions
- Battery- related terms: metal, compounds, active material, black mass
- History and development of battery chemistries
- Material development and current applications of batteries
Module 3: Battery Raw Material
- Sources of raw materials
- Overview of key raw materials for batteries
- Criticality and geopolitical aspects of raw material sourcing
- EU regulations
Module 4: Battery Value Chain and Processes
- Overview of the battery value chain
- Extraction, mineral processing, and refining (pyro and hydro)
- Finland’s role in the global battery market
- Giga factory production
- Production of battery metals based on case studies: Lithium and Cobalt
Module 5: Recycling Technologies for Battery Waste
- Overview of recycling technologies (including mechanical, pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical processes)
- Challenges and opportunities in battery recycling
- Economic and environmental benefits of recycling
- Case studies in circular economy approaches
- Industry claims and practices
- Role of policy and regulation in promoting recycling practices
Module 6: Battery Lifecycle Analysis
- From raw material extraction to end-of-life
- Environmental and economic impacts across the lifecycle
- Lifecycle assessment (LCA) methodologies
- Case studies on battery lifecycle impacts
Module 7: Future Aspects in Battery Technologies
- Emerging battery technologies
- Innovations in battery design
- Future trends in battery development
- Strategies in Finland an the EU
Instructors

Mari Lundström
Mari Lundström is an Associate Professor in Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering at Aalto University.

Anna Klemettinen
Anna Klemettinen is a University Lecturer in Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering at Aalto University.
Program Fee and Registration
The fee for Batteries: Raw Materials and Recycling online course is € 300 (+ VAT).
This program has adopted Aalto EE's new Customer ID, and it is delivered on Aalto Learning Experience Alex e-learning environment. Before ordering, please visit aaltoee.fi/customerid.
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