Producing graphite anodes from biochar to minimise the carbon footprint and improve
The iX programme is supporting Stellantis to find innovators who can provide a solution to produce high grade graphite from biochar for Li-ion batteries. The aim is to find more environmentally sustainable sources of graphite to reduce the carbon footprint, the dependence on virgin raw material supply and promote localised production.
Opportunity
Challenge opens
07/07/2025
Challenge closes
18/08/2025
Benefit
Stellantis, a constellation of 14 iconic automotive brands, is looking for solutions to produce graphite from biochar for use in batteries. Selected solutions will be introduced to the Stellantis leadership for consideration for co-development R&D projects, pilot studies or joint venture depending on the most suitable route. There is also potential for equity investment through Stellantis Ventures. With a community of 165 nationalities, industrial operations in more than 30 countries and customers in more than 130 markets, Stellantis have the platform to realise the great potential of a proposed solution.
Background
Stellantis is a constellation of 14 iconic automotive brands and two mobility arms. In March 2022, Stellantis presented Dare Forward 2030, a holistic plan that paves the way for Stellantis to transition to a sustainable mobility tech company that delivers value for all stakeholders. The core targets of this strategy include slashing carbon emissions to achieve carbon net zero in 2038 and setting to course for 100% BEV sales in Europe. Developing battery materials with a lower carbon footprint are important to achieve these aims.
In an NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery, the anode is generally made of graphite, a crystalline form of carbon where the carbon atoms are arranged in a hexagonal structure. This graphite is usually natural graphite (extracted from mines), or synthetic graphite (produced from coke or coal tar pitch).
Biochar has been identified as a promising alternative source of graphite. Biochar is a high carbon material, produced from the pyrolysis of biomass. Biochar production is a way to valorise unused waste by capturing carbon initially absorbed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis.
The motivation of this challenge is to produce graphite from biochar to reduce carbon footprint, production costs and dependence on virgin raw material supply. The solution could help reduce the carbon footprint and improve the resilience of Stellantis’s global supply chains by allowing localised production and less reliance on natural and synthetic graphite which is only available in certain regions.
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