Master’s in Battery Circular Economy and Supply Chain Engineering — LCA, Traceability, Hydrometallurgical Recycling
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in battery circular economy and supply chain engineering (LCA, traceability and hydrometallurgical recycling): 12 modules covering the battery value chain, critical raw materials, procurement, due diligence and traceability, carbon footprint and life cycle assessment, second life, collection and reverse logistics, recycling processes, the EU Batteries Regulation, circular design and circular strategy, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Battery Circular Economy and Supply Chain Engineering — LCA, Traceability, Hydrometallurgical Recycling — studying from New Zealand
New Zealand's electromobility sector is expanding rapidly, with electric vehicle uptake supported by renewable electricity generation, which provides the large majority of the country's power. Battery storage and hydrogen projects are being explored across the energy and transport sectors, with government support through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Engineers in this area work on charging infrastructure, battery systems and grid integration for utilities, fleet operators and vehicle importers.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$19,700 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
What recognition applies to battery and hydrogen engineers in New Zealand?
Engineering New Zealand administers Chartered Professional Engineer registration, which covers electrical and energy-related engineering. Hydrogen and battery safety may also fall under WorkSafe New Zealand regulations and the Electricity Authority for grid matters. SEIUM is a private institute and its qualifications are not state degrees or accredited nationally, so employer recognition is what counts.
Who employs electromobility and battery engineers in New Zealand?
Employers include electricity distributors, EV charging and fleet companies, energy storage developers, and research organisations exploring hydrogen. Roles often value hands-on experience with power electronics and safety practice. A private programme can support your profile, but it is not a guaranteed route into any particular job.
Can I study this from New Zealand while working, and how are fees handled?
Yes. The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from New Zealand without a student visa. You will have an assigned technical tutor and a final project. Master's programmes take 1,900 hours, diplomas 800 and specialist courses 300. Fees are payable in instalments, and some employers sponsor their staff.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Analyse the raw materials supply chain for batteries.
Apply due diligence and traceability to critical minerals.
Calculate the carbon footprint and life cycle impact of batteries.
Compare pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical and direct recycling processes.
Design second-life and reuse models.
Apply the requirements of the EU Batteries Regulation.
Develop a circular and supply strategy for a battery manufacturer.
Who it's for
- Battery supply chain analysts assessing sourcing and supply risk.
- Battery recycling engineers working on pre-treatment and metal recovery.
- Life cycle analysts calculating footprints and LCAs for batteries.
- Raw materials procurement managers negotiating lithium, nickel and cobalt supply.
- Sustainability managers responsible for due diligence and reporting.
- Circular economy consultants advising manufacturers and recyclers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join battery and cell manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (EU Batteries Regulation)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 (Critical Raw Materials Act)
- ISO 14040 (life cycle assessment principles and framework)
- ISO 14067 (carbon footprint of products)
- OECD Due Diligence Guidance for minerals (responsible mineral supply chains)
- Directive (EU) 2024/1760 (corporate sustainability due diligence)
- Directive 2008/98/EC (Waste Framework Directive)
- ISO 59004 (circular economy principles and guidance)
- SimaPro
- OpenLCA
- GaBi
- Python
- Power BI
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Mining and extraction1.2Refining and processing1.3Manufacture of active materials1.4Cell manufacturing1.5Pack assembly1.6Use in vehicles1.7Second-life batteries1.8End-of-life recycling1.9Geographical concentration of production1.10Case study: map of the nickel value chain
2.1Lithium from brine and hard rock2.2Class 1 nickel2.3Cobalt and its origin2.4Manganese in cathodes2.5Natural and synthetic graphite2.6The European Critical Raw Materials Regulation2.7Prices and volatility2.8Geopolitical supply risks2.9Substitution alternatives2.10Practical: supply risk analysis
3.1Long-term contracts3.2Price indexation3.3Vertical integration in the chain3.4Partnerships with mining companies3.5Strategic materials inventories3.6Supplier diversification3.7Materials logistics3.8Risk management3.9Supply indicators3.10Workshop: lithium procurement strategy
4.1OECD Guidance4.2European due diligence directive4.3Batteries Regulation requirements4.4Human rights risks4.5Environmental risks in mining4.6Third-party audits4.7Traceability with digital technologies4.8Responsible mining certifications4.9Public due diligence reports4.10Case study: due diligence programme for cobalt
5.1ISO 14040 methodology5.2ISO 14067 carbon footprint5.3Carbon footprint declaration5.4Impact of manufacturing energy5.5Impact of materials5.6Comparison of chemistries5.7Recycling scenarios5.8Databases5.9Communication of results5.10Lab: LCA of a battery in OpenLCA
6.1Second-life criteria6.2State of health assessment6.3Module refurbishment6.4Stationary second-life applications6.5Safety in second life6.6Producer responsibility6.7Business models6.8Costs and prices6.9International reference cases6.10Practical: feasibility of a second-life system
7.1Extended producer responsibility7.2Collection systems7.3Transport of used batteries7.4Handling of damaged batteries7.5Safe storage of batteries7.6Discharging and dismantling7.7Sorting of batteries by chemistry7.8Logistics costs7.9Collection indicators7.10Workshop: design of a collection network
8.1Mechanical pre-treatment of batteries8.2Production of black mass8.3Pyrometallurgical recycling processes8.4Hydrometallurgical recycling processes8.5Direct cathode recycling8.6Lithium recovery8.7Graphite recovery8.8Recycling efficiencies8.9Environmental impacts of recycling8.10Lab: materials balance of a hydrometallurgical process
9.1Scope and categories9.2Sustainability requirements9.3Minimum recycled content9.4Performance requirements9.5Labelling and information9.6Battery passport9.7Supply chain due diligence9.8End of life9.9Implementation timetable9.10Practical: compliance plan for the regulation
10.1Design for disassembly10.2Reversible joints for disassembly10.3Module standardisation10.4Easy-to-recycle chemistries10.5Reduction of critical materials10.6Information for recyclers10.7Product repairability10.8Product durability in use10.9Circularity assessment10.10Case study: circular redesign of a module
11.1Economics of recycling11.2Value of recovered materials11.3Circular business models11.4Industrial alliances for recycling11.5Recycling capacity in Europe11.6Investment and economic return11.7Circularity indicators11.8Business risks11.9Roadmap11.10Workshop: business plan for a recycling plant
12.1Supply chain analysis12.2Risk assessment12.3Due diligence plan12.4Life cycle assessment12.5Second-life strategy12.6Recycling strategy12.7Regulatory compliance plan12.8Economic assessment of the proposal12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so the programme can be combined with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SimaPro, OpenLCA, GaBi, Python and Power BI, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: a life cycle assessment of a battery under different recycling scenarios, the design of a due diligence programme for cobalt, and a second-life business model for stationary storage. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, Regulation (EU) 2024/1252, ISO 14040, ISO 14067, OECD Due Diligence Guidance for minerals, Directive (EU) 2024/1760, Directive 2008/98/EC, ISO 59004.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with SimaPro, OpenLCA, GaBi, Python and Power BI, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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