fig1

Figure 1. Conceptual framework for comparing disassembly-dependent end-of-life configurations. A consistently defined incoming battery stream is assigned to alternative configurations coupling a disassembly strategy with the reuse, remanufacturing, or recycling pathway that it enables. The complete configurations are compared using carbon-footprint and other relevant life-cycle indicators. Safety, technical feasibility, labor requirements, and economic viability are considered complementary implementation constraints informing life-cycle-management decisions. The figure was created in BioRender. Bontempi, E. (2026), https://BioRender.com/ocq56ow. LCA: Life cycle assessment.