Registration has opened for ELBC Vienna 2026, the lead battery industry’s flagship global technical conference, taking place from September 15–18 in Vienna, Austria.
Co-hosted by the International Lead Association and the Consortium for Battery Innovation, the event will be held at the Austria Centre Vienna, located on the banks of the River Danube. Early-bird delegate rates are now available for a limited period.
The conference will bring together stakeholders from across the global lead battery value chain, with a programme covering the latest developments in automotive, energy storage, motive power, industrial and micro-mobility applications.
Proceedings begin with pre-conference workshops on September 14. A session led by the Consortium for Battery Innovation will explore synergies between lead and other battery technologies, as well as current and emerging applications. A second workshop, hosted by the International Lead Association, will focus on the European Union’s battery regulation and its implications for global markets.
The main conference opens on September 15, followed by a welcome reception the same evening. Over the subsequent days, keynote and technical speakers will present updates on lead markets, regional trends across the US, Europe and Asia, and advances in lead battery research and technology.
Alongside the conference programme, ELBC will host what organisers describe as the industry’s largest annual exhibition, providing a platform for suppliers, manufacturers and researchers to showcase new products and developments.
Networking will be a central feature of the event, including a gala evening scheduled for September 17.
ELBC: “a much-anticipated event”
Dr Andy Bush, executive director of ILA said: “ELBC is always a much-anticipated event, organised by the industry for the industry. It’s a distinctive opportunity for the global lead battery value chain, from manufacturers to suppliers, to meet and discuss current issues and market trends affecting the industry. Our programme includes well-known contributors bringing all the latest data and updates on global markets and technical trends as well as workshops looking in-depth at important industry issues.
“There will be many networking events and opportunities throughout the conference, including our gala evening in the heart of Vienna.”
Dr Alistair Davidson, executive director of CBI, said: “There are many important new technical developments in lead battery research which will be presented and discussed at ELBC. As energy storage applications become more complex, no single battery technology can meet every requirement, and we’ll be exploring more about how lead, lithium-ion, and other battery chemistries each offer distinct strengths and limitations across technical performance, safety, recycling, and overall cost. And we’ll be covering all the relevant issues and identifying where advanced lead batteries can make a difference as market opportunities continue to expand.”
Dr Bush added: “Delegates who register now can take advantage of our early bird rates. Early booking is advised because hotel space in Vienna is in high demand at this time and I would urge delegates and attendees to book early to secure rooms.”
The 2026 ELBC Gold sponsor is Entek, manufacturer of battery separators, extruders, and parts. BEST mag is an official media partner of the event.
Photo: the roof of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna (© Shutterstock)
