Li-Monti Maps

About the Project

“Li-Monti Maps is the ‘Google Maps’ of battery recycling — but instead of restaurants and shops, we map verified stakeholders across the lithium-ion battery value chain.”

Leoni Hartung and Manolie Bockhöfer developed Li-Monti Maps during their 6-month internship with Value Chain Hackers as part of their Global Project and Change Management program at Windesheim Zwolle. Recognizing that the lithium-ion battery recycling ecosystem suffers from fragmentation and lack of transparency, they created a digital platform concept that addresses three critical challenges: low collection rates, compliance struggles, and stakeholder invisibility.

The platform serves two primary user groups: citizens who need to find safe, certified battery drop-off locations, and SMEs seeking verified, ESG-compliant partners for collaboration in the recycling ecosystem. By creating a searchable digital map with verified listings, user ratings, and compliance support, Li-Monti Maps aims to build a transparent, trusted, and collaborative ecosystem that powers the circular battery economy.

The Challenge

Problem Statement

If you had a used lithium-ion battery at home right now, would you know where to safely and responsibly dispose of it? Most people don’t — and the same is true for many businesses navigating the battery recycling ecosystem.

The Pain Points:

Fragmentation

Recyclers, transporters, and manufacturers operate in silos
No single source of truth for stakeholder information
Difficult to find trusted partners

Low Collection Rates

Citizens don’t know where to dispose of batteries
Lack of accessible, certified drop-off locations
Missed opportunities for material recovery

Compliance Struggles

SMEs struggle to meet ESG and regulatory standards
Governments lack tools to track and trace compliance effectively
EU Battery Regulation creates new pressure without infrastructure

Context:

Battery waste growth: Projected to increase 500% by 2030
Regulatory pressure: EU Battery Regulation, Digital Battery Passports, Circular Economy Action Plans
Market fragmentation: Innovative startups struggle with integration due to lack of visibility
Supply risk: Critical raw materials (lithium, cobalt, germanium) concentrated in few countries

Project Goals & Objectives

Primary Goal

Create a reliable and transparent digital platform that maps stakeholders across the lithium-ion battery value chain, enabling citizens to find disposal locations and businesses to connect with verified partners.

Specific Objectives

Increase Visibility: Map and verify all stakeholders in the battery recycling ecosystem
Enable Compliance: Provide tools and support for businesses to meet ESG and regulatory standards
Build Trust: Create a rating system and verification process for quality assurance
Support Regulation: Give governments real-time data for compliance monitoring
Foster Collaboration: Enable peer-to-peer learning and partnership opportunities

Research & Methodology

Research Approach

Leoni and Manolie took a systems analysis approach, treating the sector’s fragmentation as a systems-integration challenge. They analyzed the lithium-ion battery value chain from extraction through recycling, identifying key stakeholders, pain points, and regulatory requirements.

Methods Used:

Academic Literature Review: Studied research on battery recycling, circular economy, and supply chain transparency
Policy Analysis: Examined EU Battery Regulation, Critical Raw Materials Act, and compliance requirements
Stakeholder Interviews: Spoke with recyclers, manufacturers, and industry experts to understand barriers
Systems Mapping: Created value chain maps identifying all actors and their relationships

Stakeholders Engaged

The team identified and analyzed multiple stakeholder groups:

Citizens: End-users needing battery disposal options
SMEs: Small and medium enterprises in recycling, collection, transportation
Large Manufacturers: OEMs and cell manufacturers requiring compliant partners
Recycling Facilities: Processors handling battery waste
Government Agencies: Regulators enforcing sustainability standards
Startups & Innovators: New entrants struggling with market access

Key Research Findings

From academic research and stakeholder interviews, they discovered:

Visibility is Foundation

“Visibility is the foundation of a functioning circular battery economy” — Academic consensus across multiple studies

Integration Barriers (Fraunhofer ISI, 2023) Innovative startups and new industry entrants struggle with integration in Li-Ion value chains due to lack of visibility and access to:

Collection networks
Logistics partners
OEMs and cell manufacturers
Recycling facilities
Regulatory and compliance support

Impact Potential

40% GHG reduction through efficient recycling (Stanford, 2024)
20–30% reduction in transaction costs (Anissa & Agrawal, 2022)
+5 years second-life battery use with state-of-health tracking

The Solution

Overview

Li-Monti Maps is a digital mapping and verification platform with three core components:

Verified Stakeholder Map - Searchable database of compliant recycling actors
Compliance Support System - Tools and partnerships to help businesses meet standards
Community Hub - Peer learning, news, and collaboration space

Key Features

1. Verified Listings Only

Companies must meet regulatory and ESG criteria to appear on the platform. Verification includes:

Environmental standards compliance
Safety certifications
Operational licenses
ESG reporting

Dual Compliance Paths:

Already compliant? Join by paying membership fee
Not compliant? Use automated tools or partner consultants to get there

2. Smart Matchmaking

Like Google Maps, but for battery recycling partnerships:

For Citizens: Find certified drop-off locations near you
For SMEs: Discover verified partners (recyclers, transporters, collectors)
Rating System: Users evaluate businesses based on track record, service quality, partnership experience

3. Compliance Support

Businesses not yet compliant can:

Use automated compliance assessment tools
Connect with partnered compliance service providers
Submit documented proof of regulatory adherence
Access step-by-step guidance for meeting standards

4. Community Features

Peer-to-Peer Learning: Operational insights and best practices
News & Updates Hub: Policy changes, technology trends, market developments
Collaboration Tools: Initiate partnerships, share logistics, coordinate projects

How It Works

For Citizens:

Open Li-Monti Maps
Search for “battery drop-off near me”
See certified locations with ratings and reviews
Safely dispose of batteries at verified facility

For Businesses:

Complete compliance verification or get support
Join platform with membership fee
Create profile with services offered
Connect with partners via matchmaking algorithm
Build reputation through ratings and successful collaborations

Platform Architecture

Frontend:

Interactive map interface
Search and filter functionality
User profiles and ratings
News feed and community forum

Backend:

Stakeholder database with verification status
Compliance tracking system
Matchmaking algorithm
Integration with regulatory databases

Verification Layer:

Document validation
Third-party certifications check
Ongoing compliance monitoring
Audit trail for transparency

Key Findings & Insights

Major Discoveries

1. Compliance is a Barrier, Not Just a Requirement Many SMEs want to comply but lack knowledge, resources, or time. By providing compliance as a service, Li-Monti Maps turns a barrier into an opportunity.

2. Governments Need Better Tools

“Governments are increasingly expected to enforce sustainability standards — but they lack the tools to track and trace compliance effectively.”

Sources: European Commission 2023, World Economic Forum 2022, Rahnama et al. 2023, OECD 2020

3. Visibility Drives Action When stakeholders can see each other, collaboration increases. The platform creates network effects where more visibility leads to more connections, which leads to more visibility.

4. Trust is Currency In a fragmented market, verified status and positive ratings become competitive advantages. Businesses willing to meet high standards gain market access.

Insights for Stakeholders

For SMEs:

Access to exclusive network of compliant partners
Reputation building through verified status and ratings
Reduced transaction costs through better partner matching
Simplified compliance process

For Governments:

Real-time data on verified actors
Reduced administrative burden of enforcement
Ability to target non-compliant operators
Support for regulatory alignment across value chain

For Citizens:

Easy access to certified drop-off points
Confidence in safe, responsible disposal
Contribution to circular economy made simple

Business Model

Revenue Streams

Membership Fees
- Verified companies pay annual fee to appear on platform
- Tiered pricing based on company size and features
Compliance Support Packages
- Fee-based services for non-compliant businesses
- Automated tools + human support
- Partner consultant fees
Institutional Licenses
- Public agencies access platform data for monitoring
- Reporting tools and compliance dashboards
- API access for integration with government systems

Value Proposition

For Businesses:

Access: Exclusive network of verified partners
Reputation: Build trust through ratings and verified status
Efficiency: Shared logistics and smoother collaboration
Compliance: Easier navigation of complex regulations

For Public Sector:

Enforcement: Real-time compliance tracking
Efficiency: Reduced administrative burden
Targeted Action: Focus on high-risk operators
Data: Comprehensive ecosystem visibility

Strategic Alignment & Timing

Li-Monti Maps is aligned with major policy and technology trends:

Policy Alignment:

EU Battery Regulation - Mandates traceability and due diligence
Digital Battery Passports - Requires digital infrastructure for tracking
Circular Economy Action Plans - Promotes circular business models
Critical Raw Materials Act - Addresses supply security

Technology Readiness: The necessary technologies already exist:

Cloud-based mapping platforms (Google Maps API, Mapbox)
Blockchain for verification and traceability
IoT sensors for battery state-of-health tracking
AI/ML for matchmaking algorithms

Market Timing:

“We’re not ahead of the curve — we’re exactly on it.”

With battery waste projected to grow 500% by 2030 and new regulations coming into force, the need for ecosystem visibility is immediate.

Team Reflection

What We Learned

Systems Thinking in Practice: Approaching battery recycling as a systems integration challenge revealed that the problem isn’t lack of technology or regulation — it’s lack of connection and visibility between actors who could solve it together.

Lean Startup Approach: Rather than building everything at once, focusing on one high-impact use case (e.g., collection rate optimization) allows for MVP development and iterative improvement based on user feedback.

Importance of Trust Infrastructure: In fragmented markets, trust mechanisms (verification, ratings, compliance tracking) are as important as the core technology.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge 1: Defining Compliance Standards Different countries and regions have varying requirements.

Solution: Start with EU standards as baseline, create modular compliance framework that can adapt to regional variations.

Challenge 2: Getting First Movers Platform requires critical mass to be valuable.

Solution: Target one geographic region and one stakeholder type first (e.g., recyclers in Netherlands), prove value, then expand.

Challenge 3: Data Validation Ensuring verification information is accurate and up-to-date.

Solution: Combination of automated checks (API integration with registries), third-party certifications, and periodic audits.

Recommendations & Next Steps

For Implementation Partners

Phase 1: MVP Development (Months 1-6)

Build core map with one region (Netherlands)
Onboard 20-30 verified recyclers
Launch citizen-facing battery drop-off finder
Test compliance verification process

Phase 2: SME Matchmaking (Months 6-12)

Add matchmaking algorithm
Introduce rating system
Expand to Belgium, Germany
Add compliance support services

Phase 3: Institutional Integration (Year 2)

Develop government dashboard
API for regulatory integration
Cross-border expansion
Scale compliance services

For Future Students

Continue the Research:

Conduct user testing with citizens and SMEs
Develop detailed compliance framework per country
Prototype matchmaking algorithm
Analyze competitive landscape (existing platforms, potential partners)

Technical Development:

Create wireframes and user flows
Research technology stack options
Develop data privacy and security protocols
Design API structure for institutional integration

For VCH

Strategic Opportunities:

Pilot Project: Partner with Dutch government or industry association for proof-of-concept
Funding: Apply for EU circular economy grants or innovation funding
Partnerships: Connect with existing battery manufacturers, recyclers, or tech platforms
Research: Continue academic research on platform economics and network effects in circular value chains

Impact & Vision

Potential Impact

Environmental:

Increase battery collection rates
Reduce improper disposal and environmental harm
Enable more efficient recycling processes
Support transition to circular battery economy

Economic:

Reduce transaction costs by 20-30%
Create market for compliance services
Enable SME access to larger value chains
Support job creation in recycling sector

Social:

Empower citizens to make sustainable choices
Improve worker safety through verified partners
Reduce dependency on critical raw material imports
Support energy transition infrastructure

Vision Statement

“Li-Monti Maps creates more than just a map — it builds a transparent, trusted, and collaborative ecosystem that powers the circular battery economy of tomorrow.”

The platform transforms fragmentation into connection, compliance barriers into opportunities, and isolated actors into a thriving community working together toward a sustainable energy future.

Acknowledgments

Leoni and Manolie would like to thank:

Value Chain Hackers: For providing the internship opportunity and resources
Christiaan Verhoef: For mentorship and guidance throughout the project
Windesheim Zwolle: For academic support and program framework
Industry Experts: All recyclers, manufacturers, and stakeholders who shared insights
Research Community: Authors whose work informed this project

Other VCH circular economy initiatives:

The Green Cacao Guide - Sustainability in food supply chains
Textile Twicely - Circular textile economy

References:

Anissa & Agrawal (2022). Transaction cost reductions in circular supply chains
European Commission (2023). EU Battery Regulation
Rahnama et al. (2023). Digital Traceability in Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling
Schmaltz, Dr. T. (2023). Europe expands recycling of lithium-ion batteries. Fraunhofer ISI
Stanford University (2024). GHG reduction through efficient recycling
World Economic Forum (2022). Battery Value Chain Sustainability

Project Overview