The Consortium for Battery Innovation (CBI) has announced plans to relaunch as a multi-technology, pre-competitive research organisation in 2027, while maintaining its commitment to core lead battery research.
The consortium is realigning its business plan amid strong growth in demand for battery energy storage, reflecting the majority of its members who already offer multi-technology solutions. It will continue its lead battery research programmes through its roadmap and project work.
Announcing the plans at the European Lead Battery Conference (ELBC) in Vienna, CBI executive director Dr Alistair Davidson said: “Energy storage demand is booming, and a growing range of technologies is seeking to capture this demand. Our industry is embracing this shift, with more than 80 per cent of lead battery manufacturers, along with many suppliers, already active across multiple battery technologies.
The multi-technology move won’t change CBI’s mission
“Our purpose, vision and mission won’t change. We remain a pre-competitive research organisation, and we will ensure we protect and grow our ongoing commitment to lead battery research.
“We’ll also support new research and testing in new technologies, driven by our members’ requirements: independent benchmarking, new research building on work that’s already been done, and a stronger organisation, with greater scale, broader expertise, access to more funding, and a trusted voice on standards and policy.”
CBI’s board and General Assembly, representing its 120 members, voted to support the move at meetings in Vienna. The International Lead Association’s board also backed the plans.
