The Batteries Industry of the Future: Ensuring a sustainable and competitive development

In this video presentation for the 2020 Future Battery Forum, which took place online from 10-11 December, RECHARGE’s Pia Alina Lange outlines the pillars of a long-term sustainable, competitive and innovative battery value chain in Europe. Advanced rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-, or next-generation nickel-, zinc- and sodium-based battery technologies, are a strategic imperative for the industrial and social revolution towards a more empowered and sustainable society. The creation of the European Battery Alliance and the Commission’s Strategic Action Plan on Batteries underpin the role of batteries for climate-neutrality and economic prosperity.

Especially, lithium-based batteries have been a main driver for the electrification of our mobility and energy storage infrastructures. Thanks to their unique characteristics, they are the leading battery chemistry in ITC and robots, too. To date, few other battery chemistries, also at prototype level, show similarly performing characteristics as lithium-based batteries when it comes to energy density and cycling ability. As an industry association, we expect that the lithium-based battery technology will remain the leading battery chemistry for the next two decades or so – at least. And also after that, they will continue to play a strategic role.

Continuous improvements in advanced materials design, application optimization and manufacturing technology are expected to further reduce cost and improve performance. So, we can continue to expect interesting developments and innovations in lithium-based battery technologies in the years to come. This includes the transition to solid-state electrolytes or new anode material developments for increased energy density.

As the industry voice of the European batteries industry of the future, RECHARGE works with its partners in industry and authorities on paving the way for a long-term development of the European battery system.

More on-demand videos from the Future Battery Forum? Click here. 

Interested in learning more about lithium or advanced nickel, zinc and sodium batteries, click here.