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This year’s Batteries Event, to be held in Lyon, France, in October, is set to be the biggest yet and will focus on the rise in market demand for batteries.
The main theme is lithium-ion batteries for the automotive sector, but other technologies such as lead-acid, zinc, sulphur and solid-state batteries will be covered too, the organisers say. Applications like aviation, electric buses and space will also be on the agenda.
Solid-state batteries are expected to attract attention at the event, along with technologies like sodium-ion, high manganese cathodes and LFMP, according to the organisers.
Attendance registration is set to break records: 80 booths have already been reserved (100 last year) and the organisers are expecting over 1,200 attendees (1,100 last year) and 175+ international speakers.
Christophe Pillot, director of conference organiser Avicenne Energy, said providing forecasts about lithium-ion battery market growth is always difficult, and it aims to be realistic.
“Some analysts predicted a 50–60% growth rate between 2021 and 2023, and now the US market is complaining that the growth is less than expected. Yes, it is less than their forecasts. But it was 36% growth. We were wrong, we predicted 35%!”
He added that accurate forecasting is needed in the supply chain to continue enabling growth, avoid costly timing errors and not missing opportunities.
“Avicenne Energy’s approach will be to remain conservative and a trusted partner with our clients on their growth journey,” he said.
And while there has been a switch in technology to lithium-ion batteries from lead – in areas such as forklift trucks, e-bikes in China and telecoms – lead remains strong and will do so for many years yet. It remains buoyed by its lower price, strong safety record and 99% recycling rate.
Pillot believes Europe is struggling to be competitive. It takes time to make new regulation but once in place, it remains durable. “But, today, for sure it is more attractive to invest in the US than in Europe. The industry needs support to try to compete with China. They are 15 years ahead of us and are faster today.” As the government decides the market in China, rule-making there can be very quick, he said.
Pillot added: “Raw materials account for 70% of the battery cost. So we have to follow the entire metal value chain.” Metal prices are volatile, and so on a long-term basis recycling could be really important, he added. Avicenne sees the lithium-ion battery market levelling off in 2040–45. “That means that if we recycle, say 90% of the battery, recycling could bring the bulk of the material needs.”
Most of the companies involved in building gigafactories in Europe will be there, including Blue Solutions, Univers, Tesla Canada, NASA Johnson Space Center, Lithium Americas Corporation, Verkor, Argonne National Laboratory, French finance ministry, Freyr Battery, Collège de France, PowerCo, CATL France and Polypore International LP.
