In the first episode of Explain Science, a new science communication strand within The Grant Podcast, I’m joined by Kristin Fransson from RISE to open up the science behind the NoVOC project. Kristin works with life cycle assessment and has spent around 15 years in the field, focusing especially on batteries, metals and energy storage. In this conversation, we use NoVOC as the practical entry point: a Horizon Europe project working to reduce the hazardous solvents used in battery manufacturing and explore alternative dry and wet manufacturing approaches that could make battery production more sustainable. The broader ambition is clear: help Europe build battery capacity that is both more competitive and better for the environment.

What makes the episode especially strong is that it does not stop at the technology itself. Kristin explains what life cycle assessment actually is, why it matters so much in research projects, and why battery LCAs are so difficult in practice. We talk about system boundaries, functional units, recycling assumptions, data collection, scale-up challenges and why LCA has to be brought into projects early if it is going to shape better decisions. The episode also opens a window into the wider battery ecosystem through the Battery Heroes collaboration and highlights a coming virtual coffee chat on sustainable lithium-ion battery manufacturing and cross-project collaboration on battery LCA.

Time codes:

02:40 A word from the collaboration partner

03:55 Guest introduction and fly in

08:17 What is Life Cycle Assessment?

11:46 Why does this matter for Europe?

18:28 Why is battery LCA difficult?

27:19 Closing and event promotion