NWA route Circular Economy (CE) coordinates three new case studies for sustainable circular impact
A collaboration of TNO, LEI, RU, TUD, M2i and other partners will, through three case studies, take crucial steps to understand the supply chain of a product and to quantify the environmental and economic impact of different choices within the chain.
The research aims to identify robust interventions that will speed up the transition towards circular supply chains. The level of circularity will be studied for the following specific value chains:
- tin production and utilisation
- lithium ion batteries
- timber construction.
The projects aim at increasing the scientific and societal impact of their NWA route by creating new connections between organisations and research fields. We will analyse the working mechanism of the entire value chains and identify triggers that will speed up the transition to a fully circular value chain.
TNO is leader of the case study on lithium ion batteries
In addition, TNO's Circular Economy & Environment unit is leading the case study on a lithium-ion battery sub-project entitled “Circ-Li-on” (see image below). We will investigate circular opportunities for lithium-ion batteries as used in e-bikes, which have varying and often limited lifespans.
This collaborative project will start in the first half of 2021 and will run for approximately one year. We are also looking at options for organising large consortia on relevant research topics at a later stage.

Get inspired
Mark Huijbregts joins TNO to bring sustainability assessment to the next level
Prof. Mark Huijbregts, Professor Integrated Environmental Assessment at Radboud University, will join TNO parttime as a Principal Scientist as of 1 April. He will combine this new role at TNO with his position as professor at the Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, which he holds since 2010.


Critical raw materials: will their scarcity impede the energy transition goals?
Resource scarcity is on the rise. How do we secure Europe from critical raw materials? At TNO, we are working on answers with research.


Circularity of large household appliances in Kenya
In Kenya, consumption of large household appliances such as refrigerators, is increasing. To ensure circularity, several actions are proposed


Circular construction and infrastructure
How can we replace 10 to 20% of the construction materials we use with circular construction materials within a few years? By using our innovations for circular construction.


Support policy-making circular economy governments
Public authorities want to reduce their ecological footprint. With our research, we support policymaking for a circular economy. Find out more.

