EU conference launches bid to gain ground in battery cell production

A conference on battery cell production in Europe launched under the aegis of Germany's EU Council Presidency aims to get European battery production off the ground. "We want Europe to develop an integrated value creation chain for battery cells, starting with the processing of raw materials over battery cell production to recycling," economy minister Peter Altmaier said ahead of the conference that is centred on two so-called Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI), which bring together 60 companies from across Europe to foster innovation in battery production. Germany is investing three billion euros into the two projects with the aim of producing "the most innovative and environmentally friendly battery cells in Europe" and create tens of thousands of jobs throughout the continent, Altmaier said, adding the battery project could be used as a blueprint for other IPCEIs, for example in hydrogen production.

The Vice President of the European Commission, Maros Sefcovic, said the European battery alliance had quickly gained traction in the three years since its launch and would make Europe "a global centre" of battery technology. "It shows what we can achieve through strategic autonomy in this key industry," Sefcovic argued. He added that the Commission would now focus on a reform of the European battery directive.