Unveiled in Brussels on June 16, the roadmap, entitled Sustaining Europe’s battery powerhouse, outlines performance targets for the next generation of advanced lead batteries. According to CBI, the aim is to ensure that batteries are developed, manufactured and recycled within Europe.
CBI chairman: Europe should avoid favouring specific chemistries
Dr Christian Rosenkranz, chairman of CBI and vice president of industry and governmental relations EMEA at Clarios, said Europe should avoid favouring specific chemistries.
“To avoid falling behind, the EU must create a level playing field for all battery chemistries and remain technology neutral. We have a real homegrown success story through the EU lead battery value chain and it’s important to protect what matters in terms of our industrial base by supporting all chemistries. If we don’t do this Europe risks falling behind, and that is something we cannot afford to do.”
Rosenkranz also urged policymakers to consider incentives similar to those available in the United States, where tax credit schemes are used to encourage domestic investment.
“We need to be more focused on boosting made in Europe if we’re to remain globally competitive,” he said.
European manufacturers joined CBI representatives and policymakers in Brussels as concerns grow over the need to meet rising demand for energy storage while maintaining industrial competitiveness.
CBI executive director Dr Alistair Davidson said a broad approach to battery technologies would be essential.
“Only by adopting a technology-neutral approach can Europe secure a competitive and sustainable battery ecosystem that’s fit for purpose in the coming decade.”
Davidson added that advanced lead batteries remain important across a range of sectors, including automotive, backup power, defence and nuclear facilities. He said the batteries are already developed and manufactured in Europe and that all lead batteries collected at end of life are recycled and used to produce new batteries.
CBI said members have already achieved the objectives set out in previous roadmaps. The new EU roadmap establishes targets for improvements in energy density, cycle life and recharge capability.
Speakers at the launch event included Dr Bernhard Reigel, director of research and development at Hoppecke; Dr Begum Bozkaya, senior technical manager at CBI; Dr James Watson, director general of European Metals; and Jacopo Tosoni, deputy secretary general of Energy Storage Europe.
The roadmap was compiled by CBI senior technical director Dr Matt Raiford and senior technical manager Dr Begum Bozkaya. The organisation said the document will be made publicly available in the coming weeks.
