The report presents an analysis of the availability of raw materials for batteries, focusing on both the European and national contexts, as well as an assessment of the “criticality” factor for these raw materials.

The research activities have concentrated on geomining aspects, sustainable supply, substitution, and circularity.

From a geomining perspective (exploration and mining), with the aim of forecasting national and European supply, the analysis of “geothermal lithium” was addressed, exploring the potential recovery of strategic minerals. This analysis was conducted globally and then focused on the potential of geothermal lithium in Europe and Italy. For the national territory, research was deepened by identifying the most promising geothermal sites, which have become a fundamental reference for the census of geothermal sources; a total of 57 sites were identified, with information on possible reservoir lithologies and temperatures. The most promising areas identified were Tuscany, Campania, Lazio, Sicily, and Sardinia.

In addition to geomining and direct supply aspects, the study also analyzed secondary raw materials, exploring possibilities for substitution and recycling within the context of circularity and sustainability in the battery value chain. Furthermore, an analysis was conducted on the costs of sodium batteries, a potential substitute for lithium in these devices. The focus was on this element as RSE is working on developing a sodium-ion battery prototype.

At the end of 2020, the European Commission issued a new list of critical raw materials, prompting RSE to reanalyze all the data sheets produced in the previous two years. This involved updating data on production, reserves, resources, costs, etc., and completing the technical data sheets for F, P, Na, Fe, Al, and Si.

The updated data sheets for 15 materials selected by the “Materials for Energy” group of RSE’s TGM department as potential substitutes for lithium in batteries include: Na, Mn, Cu, Fe, V, Si, Ti, Al, Ni, Co, F, P, Ge, Sn, and natural graphite. A data sheet for lithium was also prepared, with a section dedicated to brine mining.