New research to prevent battery fires at recycling facilities

Fires in waste and recycling facilities are becoming more frequent, creating major environmental problems and disrupting recycling work. Many fires occur in connection to the handling of batteries, when they are incorrectly sorted. However, the exact mechanism of ignition is still unknown.

Linnaeus University is leading a newly launched research project that aims to increase knowledge about battery recycling and how waste fires can be prevented. The project will, for example, investigate why battery fires start, how they develop, different methods of extinguishing them, and – not least – how they can be prevented, for instance through regulations and the division of responsibilities between different actors.

“Battery fires are a major problem, and we need more knowledge and facts about how they start and how they can be prevented,” says William Hogland, project manager and professor of environmental engineering.

“Many people advocate the use of batteries because they simplify our lives, but they forget the increasing number of fires and the climate impact they cause,” says Asim Ibrahim, researcher at the Department of Biology and Environmental Science.

Lithium-ion batteries suspected to be a cause

The project focuses particularly on lithium-ion batteries; that is to say, rechargeable batteries used, for example, in laptops, mobile phones, tools, and toys. The handling of these batteries is suspected to be one of the causes of waste fires. They can be affected by what is known as thermal runaway, an uncontrolled chain reaction that causes a rapid increase in temperature. The risk of thermal runaway may also be accelerated by microorganisms in the waste that raise the temperature.

Costly and hazardous to health

The idea for the project comes from the Swedish waste management company Ragn-Sells, which is also providing the funding. Anders Kihl, chief strategy and R&D officer at Ragn-Sells, believes that the problem of battery fires involves everyone from producers to consumers.

“An increasing number of fires at recycling facilities are caused by small batteries that someone has thrown into the wrong bin. It is a major but poorly known problem that threatens people’s health, costs a lot of money, and risks discouraging investment in new facilities. Everyone must help raise awareness of how important proper sorting is – from battery manufacturers to home electronics retailers, recyclers, municipalities, the emergency services, and insurance companies,” says Kihl.

According to a report from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, the overall cost of fires in society has increased from SEK 5.7 billion (2005) to SEK 9.2 billion (2021).

“The increase in cost shows how important it is that we become better at preventing all types of fires, such as waste fires,” says Ulyana Muñoz Acuña, senior lecturer at the Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences. She also points out that smoke and gases from batteries and fires can negatively affect our health.

Information for the public

The project will, among other things, result in information material for the public about how batteries should be stored, sorted, and recycled in the correct way.

“Information for the public is extremely important. Lithium-ion batteries are found in many everyday products. They are even found in children’s flashing shoes and toys. Thus, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with batteries and how they should be handled,” Hogland concludes.

The project is carried out together with, among others, Ragn-Sells and the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE).