Science on tap: NoVOC experts bring Battery Research to the people
On a spring evening in Stockholm, science stepped out of the lab and into the pub - as part of the Pint of Science Festival, a European outreach initiative that brings cutting-edge research to the general public in relaxed and informal settings. This year’s Stockholm edition featured two experts from the NoVOC project, sharing perspectives on the environmental and technological challenges of battery production in the era of electrification.
The festival, celebrated simultaneously in over 25 countries, aims to make science accessible, personal, and engaging. As electrification and sustainability dominate both policy and public discourse, it was a fitting moment for NoVOC researchers Emanuel Bengtsson and Guiomar Hernández to join the conversation — and bring their expertise to the table (and barstool).
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Batteries – Can they help us reduce our Environmental Impact?
Representing RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, NoVOC researcher Emanuel Bengtsson challenged the audience to think beyond the “green image” of batteries. While electric vehicles and mobile devices are often considered clean at the point of use, Emanuel invited the crowd to zoom out and look at the entire life cycle of a battery — from raw material extraction and manufacturing to use and recycling.
Through the lens of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Emanuel explained how we can better understand the true environmental cost of batteries. “If we focus only on emissions during use, we risk overlooking critical phases where environmental impacts are actually highest — such as mining, processing, or end-of-life,” he explained. In NoVOC, LCA plays a central role in evaluating how new VOC-free production techniques compare to conventional ones.
His presentation sparked thoughtful questions from the audience, ranging from raw material sourcing to EU policy on battery passports — demonstrating the public’s appetite for deeper sustainability insights.
Charging Ahead: Sustainable Innovations in Battery Manufacturing
Next up was Guiomar Hernández, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Uppsala University and a work package leader in NoVOC. With clarity and enthusiasm, she led the audience through the inner workings of lithium-ion batteries — breaking down key components, energy storage principles, and the chemistry that powers modern life, from smartphones to electric vehicles.
But Guiomar’s talk didn’t stop at how batteries work — it focused on how to make them more sustainably. Highlighting innovations developed in the NoVOC project, she described the shift away from toxic solvents like NMP toward aqueous and dry electrode manufacturing techniques. These approaches, being tested at pilot scale across Europe, have the potential to reduce both cost and environmental impact, aligning with EU goals for clean, competitive battery production.
Her talk highlighted how European-funded projects like NoVOC are not only scientific ventures, but also blueprints for greener industrial futures.
Public Engagement: A core pillar of Horizon Europe projects
The participation of NoVOC experts at the Pint of Science festival embodies the spirit of public outreach that is central to Horizon Europe projects. Beyond lab results and technical reports, EU-funded projects are expected to connect with citizens, raise awareness, and foster societal dialogue around research and innovation.
By taking the stage at a local bar rather than a scientific conference, Emanuel and Guiomar helped translate complex research into relatable narratives, making the case for sustainable batteries in a way that resonates with people’s everyday lives.
Whether you’re an engineer, a student, or someone who just wants their electric car to be truly green, this kind of open science matters. And NoVOC is proud to be part of it.


