Switzerland’s CircuBAT project, a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at establishing a circular economy for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, has concluded after four years of research and innovation. The project, launched in 2022 under the Innosuisse flagship program, brought together seven research institutions and 24 industrial partners to create sustainable solutions for every stage of a lithium-ion battery’s life cycle — from design and production to reuse and recycling.
The consortium, led by the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), included Empa, CSEM, the University of St. Gallen, OST, SIPBB, EPFL, and a range of industrial collaborators. Their findings were presented this week at the CircuBAT2025 conference in Bern, showcasing innovations that could accelerate global battery sustainability.
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“We have developed innovative solutions that are attracting worldwide attention. These solutions represent a first step on the way to closing the battery loop with stations distributed around the globe,” said Andrea Vezzini, project manager at BFH.
Among the project’s most notable outcomes is an AI-powered automated battery disassembly system, developed by the Swiss Battery Technology Center (SBTC) of SIPBB. The technology can identify and dismantle a wide range of EV batteries, supporting recycling and recovery efforts. Researchers also examined how future battery systems can be designed from the outset to facilitate circular value creation, ensuring that reuse and recycling are integral to battery development.
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CircuBAT also introduced a Battery Expert System to analyze battery ageing and optimize performance across differently degraded packs under a single control unit. Additional breakthroughs include new direct material recovery methods and a predictive model for Switzerland’s second-life battery market, enabling better planning for reuse volumes and infrastructure.
The project’s participants believe CircuBAT has laid critical groundwork for decarbonizing mobility in Switzerland and supporting renewable energy integration. Several technologies developed during the initiative are now moving toward commercialization or being expanded through follow-up projects and start-ups, marking a major milestone in Europe’s efforts to close the EV battery loop.