The energy transition offers a window of opportunity to design in circularity from the outset
Decarbonisation and electrification are superseding the fuel-intensive economy, but they depend on the continuous availability of electricity networks, renewable energyrenewable energyEnergy derived from resources that are not depleted on timescales relevant to the economy, i.e. not geological timescales. generation, batteries, storage systems, and EVs that will only continue to rise in demand — along with the critical minerals inside them.
The minerals inside clean energy technology can either become tomorrow’s supply or tomorrow’s expense
As the first generation of clean energy technologies approaches the end of life, the system built around them will influence what happens to the critical minerals they contain. If the system is designed around one-way material flows, every new generation of EVs, batteries, and energy infrastructure will continue relying on virgin extraction. Rather than allowing the high-value materials already in circulation to become waste, a circular economy keeps them circulating at their highest value, securing future supply while closing the supply–demand gap.
Batteries mark our first step in redesigning the energy transition
Batteries constitute a major critical mineral value chain where circular strategies can be implemented at scale. When designed for circularity, batteries can deliver mobility services first, energy storage services next, and a secondary supply of critical minerals later.
The global deployment of EV batteries, each containing roughly 200kg of critical minerals, means that large stocks of cobalt, copper, graphite, lithium, nickel, and more are already present inside the economy. At the same time, the business models, regulations, repairrepairOperation by which a faulty or broken product or component is returned back to a usable state to fulfil its intended use. and resale networks, reverse logisticsreverse logisticsSupply chains dedicated to the reverse flow of products and materials for the purpose of maintenance, repair, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, or regenerating natural systems., second-life markets, and recycling systems that govern those batteries are still being configured. Our report, Leading the charge, sets out how this emerging value chain can be designed around circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. principles from the outset. It identifies five high-leverage opportunities for collaboration across the value chain and marks the beginning of a multi-year programme to accelerate circularity across battery systems.
Building on that foundation, we are working with automotive manufacturers, battery designers and producers, recyclers, policymakers, and our wider Network to support collaboration across battery value chains and develop the evidence and enabling conditions to scale circular economy solutions. Through this, we aim to establish the circular economy as central to securing the energy transition as a whole — by keeping critical minerals in use, reducing exposure to volatile mineral markets, and sustaining rapid global electrification while reducing the need for primary extraction.
Apply to join our Critical Minerals Network
Do you want to help build the circular critical minerals system of the future? Help shape the debate and the market? We are looking for industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and innovators to join our sector-specific working groups and implementation projects.
Support our Critical Minerals mission
As a not-for-profit organisation, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation relies on philanthropic support to to deliver its mission. This funding model protects our independence, enabling us to convene across sectors and champion a circular economy without compromise. Philanthropic partners also allow us to be ambitious and agile, accelerating system-level change in response to global challenges. We actively seek to work with philanthropic organisations that share our ambition to build an economy that works for people, business, and the natural world.
Learn more about our funding and how you can support us.
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