“From Mine to Module: How Blockchain Verifies Recycled Battery Materials in the Swedish EV Industry” : A Case Study of Volvo Cars, Volvo Group, Scania, and Stena Recycling

Sammanfattning

The transition to electric vehicles has intensified demand for lithium-ion batteries, raising concerns about the sustainability and traceability of critical raw materials such as Lithium and Cobalt. While blockchain technology has emerged as a potential solution for improving supply chain transparency, its practical implementation for tracking recycled battery materials remains limited. This study investigates which blockchain architecture is most feasible for tracking recycled lithium and cobalt in Swedish automotive and recycling sectors, and identifies key barriers to large-scale implementation. Using a qualitative multiple case study approach grounded in the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework and Circular Economy (CE) theory, this research examines blockchain adoption strategies across four companies: Volvo Cars, Volvo Group, Scania, and Stena Recycling. Data were collected through seven semi-structured interviews with sustainability managers, procurement specialists, and technical experts, supplemented by secondary sources including corporate reports and policy documents. The findings reveal a convergence toward consortium-based permissioned blockchain architectures, which balance transparency requirements with commercial data protection needs. Volvo Cars has achieved operational implementation through partnership with Circulor using Hyperledger Fabric, while other companies remain in exploratory or pilot phases. Key barriers include legacy system integration challenges, data quality concerns, organizational fragmentation, and regulatory uncertainty. However, companies are addressing these through pilot projects, strategic partnerships, regulatory alignment, and digital infrastructure investments. The study contributes theoretically by demonstrating how TOE and CE frameworks can be integrated to analyze complex technology adoption in circular supply chains. Practically, it reveals that successful blockchain implementation requires not only technological maturity but also organizational alignment, stakeholder coordination, and supportive regulatory frameworks. The research suggests that blockchain adoption should be viewed as a long-term, iterative process requiring sustained commitment and ecosystem-wide collaboration rather than a binary technological choice.