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Course syllabus - Battery Circularity Business Models

Scope

2.5 credits

Course code

PPU492

Valid from

Spring semester 2026

Education level

Second cycle

Progressive Specialisation

A1N (Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Main area(s)

Product and Process Development

Organisation

School of Innovation, Design and Engineering

Ratified

2025-06-17

Literature lists

Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.

    • Ratified date: 2026-01-30
    • Latest update: 2026-01-30

    Articles

    Toorajipour, Reza; Chirumalla, Koteshwar; Johansson, Glenn; Dahlquist, Erik; Wallin, Fredrik

    Implementing circular business models for the second-life battery of electric vehicles: Challenges and enablers from an ecosystem perspective

    URL: Link

    Business Strategy and Environment, Volume 33, issue 8,

    Kulkov, I.; Chirumall, K.; Stefan, I.; Dalhquist, E.; Johansson, G.

    Business models for second life batteries: A comprehensive framework for selecting sustainable business options

    URL: Link

    Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, volume 76,

    Chirumalla, K.; Kulkov, I.; Parida, V.; Dahlquist, E.; Johansson, G.; Stefan, I.

    Enabling battery circularity: Unlocking circular business model archetypes and collaboration forms in the electric vehicle battery ecosystem

    URL: Link

    Technological Forecasting and Social Change, volume 199,

    Cirumalla, K.; Stefan, I.; Kulkov, I.; Johansson, G.; Dahlquist, E.

    Navigating the emergence of circular ecosystems for electric vehicle battery second life: Prerequisites and pathways in firm-and ecosystem-level interactions

    URL: Link

    Technovation, volume 147,

    Ribeiro da Silva, E.; Lohmer, J.; Rohla, M.; Angelis, J.

    Unleashing the circular economy in the electric vehicle battery supply chain: A case study on data sharing and blockchain potential

    URL: Link

    Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume 193,

    Rufino Junior, C. A; Riva Sansaverino, E.; Gallo, P.

    Towards to Battery Digital Passport: Reviewing Regulations and Standards for Second-Life Batteries

    URL: Link

    Batteries, volume 10, issue 4,

    Web adresses

    Circular Business Models for the Electric Vehicle Battery Second Life: Navigating Battery Ecosystem Actors Towards Circularity

    URL: Link

Objectives

The purpose of the course is to provide an in-depth understanding of battery circularity in the context of circular business models. The course provides knowledge in designing and implementing circular strategies within the battery and electric vehicle sectors, taking into account both company-level initiatives and the needs of the broader industrial ecosystem. The course emphasizes the ability to navigate the complex challenges associated with circular transformations.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student shall be able to:

  1. Describe key concepts of battery circularity and their relevance to sustainability.
  2. Identify and compare various circular business models and forms of collaboration within the battery and electric vehicle (EV) industries.
  3. Analyze critical factors affecting the design and implementation of circular business models at both the company and ecosystem levels.
  4. Identify key stakeholders and formulate strategies for ecosystem management to enable circular business models.
  5. Explain the roles of digitalization, product design, and policy in supporting circular business models.
  6. Design a digitally enabled circular business model in response to an industrial battery circularity challenge.

Course content

  • Battery second life and circularity
  • Barriers and enablers of battery circularity
  • Circular business models
  • Ecosystem management
  • Pathways for circular transformation
  • Design principles for battery circularity
  • Advanced digital technologies in battery circularity

Specific requirements

75 credits in mechanical engineering, production engineering, product and process development, industrial engineering and management, business management or equivalent, or 40 credits in engineering/technology and at least two years of relevant full-time industry experience . In addition, Swedish course B/Swedish course 3 and English course A/English course 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course B/Swedish course 3.

Examination

Exercise (OVN1), 1 credit, online quizzes based on self-study materials including audio podcasts and video presentations, examines the learning outcomes 1 - 3, marks Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG)
Project (PRO1), 1,5 credits, an assignment that is presented with a report and a demonstration of the project, examines the learning outcomes 4 - 6, marks Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G)