Back in 2022, the clustering workshop “Production of Raw Material for Batteries from European Sources” led to what we hope will be long-lasting synergies and collaborations between research and industry – the Cluster Hub.
There is no better day than today, the International Day of Friendship, to show the world our collaborative community with the same mission – to foster the knowledge necessary to drive a more sustainable and circular production of raw materials for the European battery industry.
The projects’ association aims not only to provide general information on technological progress, but also to address new challenges, such as:
- The high cost of resources exploration activities.
- The geological uncertainty.
- The optimisation of the processing and refining technologies for the upgrading of minerals and metals from side streams and industrial waste streams.
On the occasion of the International Day of Friendship, Nader Akil, EU Business Operations Manager at PNO Innovation N.V., and the initiator of the Cluster HUB concept, said: “In the spirit of International Day of Friendship, I am proud to celebrate the commitment to collaboration fostered by the Cluster HUB. Our collective efforts within the EU context exemplify the power of partnership in driving innovation and sustainability in the battery sector. And we strongly believe that this dynamic research and industry exchange can provide support to the current policy context. Together, we are not only addressing critical challenges but also paving the way for a sustainable and economically vibrant future for Europe through reinforced partnership and mutual growth.”
The Cluster HUB currently encompasses approximately 100 organisations driving the production and recycling of raw materials for battery applications from primary and secondary resources and covering the entire value chain of the battery production.
Monday, 09 September 2024, members of the Cluster Hub “Production of raw materials for batteries from European resources”, namely ENICON, EXCEED, AVANTIS, LITHOS and CICERO will organise one session in conjunction with International Circular Hydrometallurgy Symposium (ICHS 2024). The event is titled: “Towards responsible mining and processing of energy-transition metals in Europe: A mere pipedream or a realistic opportunity?” and will be held as satellite event of the main event ICHS 2024.
Download the Cluster tentative agenda
During this event, which is organised before the start of the ICHS 2024, a round-table discussion with representatives from different entities (EU, academia, research institutions, industry, SMEs, NGOs etc.) will be held to shed light on social license to operate (SLO) issues (in particular with respect to the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) target to endorse and fast-track “Strategic Projects”), inform society about the requirements of the green energy transition, the responsibility of the mining industry to manage its impacts and identify the most critical aspects to fundamentally transform society’s trust in mining.
Immediately after its M24 Consortium meeting, the LiCORNE project will co-organise the first edition of the Symposium on Direct Lithium Extraction (SDLE). The event is hosted between 17 and 18 October 2024 by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).
This symposium will delve into the latest advancements and innovative technologies in the field of direct lithium extraction (DLE), fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange to drive forward this critical sector.
Topical Overview:
- Liquid / solid Li extraction technologies
- Membrane & precipitation technologies
- Conversion to battery
- Electrochem. Li extraction & Desalination Technologies
- Concentration & Purification of Li-brines
The symposium will feature additional
- industry sessions
- poster sessions, where interested parties can submit abstracts
On 11 July 2024, in Stuttgart, take part in this pioneering, industry leading event dedicated to electric vehicle batteries, where material, battery, OEM and recycling leaders explore future recycling trends, innovations and disruptive technologies shaping the future of emobility.
Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Summit equips industry leaders with the knowledge and partnerships essential for sustainable success. Explore state-of-the-art technologies and pioneering methods that optimize recycling processes, enhance efficiency, and promote environmental responsibility. Stay ahead of the curve and ensure your operations excel in the rapidly advancing field of EV battery recycling.
Explore cutting-edge solutions and innovations designed to enhance the sustainability of electric vehicles, extract greater value from battery waste, and foster the transition toward a more circular battery economy.
The Horizon Europe projects EXCEED and ENICON, members of Cluster Hub for “Production of raw materials for batteries from European Resources”, co-organise a joint capacity building webinar on 21 June. The webinar targets postgraduate students, as well as early-stage researchers.
Four lectures will be given by Priyadharshini Perumal (UOulu), Fernando Prado Araujo (KU Leuven), Daniel Monfort Climent (BRGM), and Ruben Snellings (KU Leuven), who are experts in their fields.
Interested parties are invited to register here before 19/06/2024.
The registered participants will receive an email with the workshop’s Zoom link.
The LIFE DRONE project aims to develop an innovative process for recycling lithium-ion batteries, thus contributing to a more sustainable management of the waste generated by these energy storage solutions that reach the end of their life.
The project coordinator recently launched an online survey to assess the potential interest audiences might have in recycling processes. Additionally, the interest spans also towards understanding the impact brought by the adoption and implementation of battery recycling processes at individual and community scales.
Every contribution is anonymous and can become helpful in guiding future activities such as the ones initiated by the LIFE DRONE project. The project’s coordination team is very grateful for all inputs. Filling in this survey takes 3 minutes.
The first International Circular Hydrometallurgy Symposium (ICHS 2024), organised by SOLVOMET – KU Leuven’s Research and Innovation Centre for Circular Hydrometallurgy, will take place in Mechelen, Belgium, between 9-11 September.
Discover the ICHS 2024 programme
Various member projects of our Cluster Hub will organise a satellite event in conjuction with ICHS 2024 titled “Towards responsible mining and processing of energy-transition metals in Europe: A mere pipedream or a realistic opportunity?”.
The Raw Materials Summit is a call-to-action – a platform – for industry leaders, educators and innovative new talent to share their vision for a sustainable raw materials future. The aim is to raise awareness of the critical role of raw materials, exchange knowledge and break down the barriers that delay sustainable value chains.
The event will take place this year at The Egg Brussels, Rue Bara 175, 1070 Bruxelles, Belgium, between 14 and 16 May.
The transition to clean energy means changing how we identify, source, use and re-use raw materials. We are all dependent on a sustainable raw materials supply and need to play an active role in the creation and maintenance of a responsible raw materials sector.
- Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and its impact
- Raw Materials Academy and our future workforce
- Changes to supply, demand and the latest trade policies
- Electrification through renewables – and nuclear
- Heightening mineral security for defense & space
- Three nations present minerals investment plans
- Looking beyond the EU’s existing strategic ties
- Responsible sourcing for the automotive sector
- The steel industry’s race to net zero
- Reputation management and mineral transparency
Join Europe’s metals industry on Thursday 18 April, for the launch of a quantifiable, six-part recipe for Europe to deliver Critical Raw Materials Act resilience by 2030. The event is hosted by Eurometaux.
High-level speakers will be debating where, how, and when the next European Commission and Parliament need to act with real ambition for getting Europe back in the global race for clean tech supply chains.
In a turbulent world of subsidies and geopolitics, Europe has to create a best-in-class “industrial kitchen”, so its strategic industries can not only survive, but also thrive – and prospects show potential to ensure European resilience.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Marek Balt, MEP
- Hildegard Bentele, MEP
- Kerstin Jorna, Director General, DG Grow
- Judith Kirton Darling, General Secretary, IndustriALL
- Sara Matthieu, MEP
- Evangelos Mytilineos, CEO Mytilineos
- Julia Poliscanova, Senior Clean Vehicles Director, Transport & Environment
- Peter Tom Jones, KU Leuven
The event will take place at the Autoworld, from 13:30 to 17:00 followed by a cocktail, with a possibility to attend remotely.
In-person places are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
This Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) is a co-creation by the European Commission and the Batteries European Partnership Association (BEPA). In the development of the SRIA, BEPA has worked closely together with the Batteries Europe Secretariat. BEPA and Batteries Europe have collected input from the wider European Batteries R&I Community by organising six Working Groups and several Task Forces, of which the total attendance figures reach in the hundreds.
The recently published SRIA replaces the BATT4EU SRIA of 2021 and lists the key strategic actions outline that the European Batteries R&I Community that can bring leverage to collaborative research projects put forward by the BATT4EU Partnership, members of the Cluster Hub “Production of raw materials for batteries” included. The SRIA builds on the Roadmaps which have been published by Batteries Europe and Battery 2030+ and is the results of the combined inputs of numerous stakeholders from the European battery landscape.
The new SRIA outlines time-based research and innovation priorities for every part of the battery value chain and points to 6 imperatives that need tackling in order to increase the competitiveness of the European battery value chain.
The 6 imperatives outlined in the new SRIA
- Ensure research and innovation match industry needs to translate into gigafactories and markets
- Increase the strategic autonomy of Europe by reducing the reliance on imported critical raw materials
- Improve battery affordability to accelerate the green transition and keep the European industry competitive
- Improve the flexibility of battery manufacturing and recycling systems
- Implement a safe and sustainable by design framework for batteries
- Support the continuity of excellent European battery research and academic-industrial
Download the official document
On 20 March 2024, BATT4EU is organising a webinar to present the new Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for batteries.
Register to the webinar
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