The Alkeemia Battery Forum 2026, taking place on 20–22 May in Venice, is a key European event dedicated to the battery and energy storage ecosystem. Bringing together companies, industry experts and stakeholders, the forum will focus on innovation, supply chain development and the future of battery technologies.
Organised by Alkeemia, the event will provide high-level technical insights on topics such as raw materials, materials development and sustainability, while fostering collaboration across the value chain. It offers a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the strengthening of Europe’s battery ecosystem.
The Transport Research Arena (TRA) 2026, taking place on 18–21 May in Budapest, is Europe’s leading conference on transport research and innovation. Bringing together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and civil society, the event will focus on sustainable, smart and user-centred mobility solutions shaping the future of transport.
Held under the theme “Re-Generation in Transport,” TRA 2026 will highlight the transition towards safe, efficient and climate-neutral mobility systems, addressing key topics such as decarbonisation, digitalisation and infrastructure resilience. The conference will feature plenary and technical sessions, exhibitions and networking activities fostering collaboration across the transport ecosystem.
The Nordic Battery Summit 2026, taking place on 19–20 May in Tampere, will bring together leading experts, companies and decision-makers to explore the latest developments in the battery sector. The event will focus on global, European and Nordic trends, emerging technologies and applications shaping the future of energy storage.
The first day will feature seminar sessions and a networking dinner, while the second day will include visits to local companies to foster collaboration across the battery value chain. The summit provides a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the strengthening of partnerships within the Nordic battery ecosystem.
The BATTERY 2030+ Annual Conference 2026, taking place on 7–8 May in Turin, is a key European event dedicated to advancing next-generation battery technologies and research. Bringing together researchers, industry leaders and policymakers, the conference will focus on future battery chemistries, smart functionalities and sustainable innovation across the value chain.
The event will highlight progress in materials discovery, modelling, manufacturing and recycling, while fostering collaboration across Europe’s battery ecosystem. Also, it will bring Europe’s battery community together to explore the future of next-generation energy storage, and BEPA is proud to support the conference as a media partner.
Since 2021, Horizon Europe has funded a broad portfolio of research and innovation programmes supporting Europe’s battery ecosystem. Battery‑related projects are brought together under BATT4EU, a public‑private partnership between the European Commission and the Batteries European Partnership Association (BEPA). To highlight the progress made across this landscape, BEPA hosts the BATT4EU Success Stories webinar series.
In the latest edition, held in March 2026, three projects presented their achievements: ENICON, GIGAGREEN, and Transensus LCA. Each tackles a different challenge along the battery value chain—from raw material extraction to sustainable cell manufacturing and harmonised environmental assessment.
ENICON: Unlocking Europe’s Nickel and Cobalt Potential
The ENICON project focuses on securing responsible, European‑sourced nickel and cobalt for batteries. It develops improved hydrometallurgical processes to extract, purify and valorise metals from low‑grade ores, intermediate products, and mining residues.
Key achievements include:
- High‑efficiency recovery: Bio‑leaching and oxidative leaching of tailings achieved >90% recovery of both nickel and cobalt, with the successful production of high‑purity mixed hydroxide (MHP) and sulfide (MSP) intermediates.
• Innovative smelting routes: Using biochar from nutshells as a reductant significantly improved Ni/Co recovery. Up to 99% for Ni and 76% for Co using biochar compared to 92% for Ni and 45% for Co using coke, thus offering a fossil‑free and more efficient alternative.
• HCl‑based process scale‑up: KU Leuven upscaled a new hydrochloric acid process for ferronickel and laterite ores, enabling production of battery‑grade MHP.
• Mineral residue valorisation: VITO developed three routes to convert leaching residues into construction materials. Notably, CO₂‑assisted carbonation of ferronickel slags produced strong paving elements, now advancing to TRL 6 with two patents filed.
• Environmental and economic assessment: LCA and techno‑economic studies show clear environmental benefits for HCl‑processed ferronickel and promising economics for laterites, despite higher OPEX due to input material cost and CAPEX for corrosion‑resistant equipment.
ENICON demonstrates that low‑grade European resources can contribute meaningfully to a secure, circular and sustainable nickel‑cobalt supply chain.
GIGAGREEN: Greener, Digitalised Gigafactory Manufacturing
The GIGAGREEN project aims to build sustainable, cost‑competitive gigafactory processes in Europe. It focuses on solvent‑free or water‑based electrode manufacturing, dry processing, digitalisation tools and improved cell designs.
Highlights from the project:
- Fully solvent‑free ambition: The project targets 0% VOCs, lower CO₂ emissions per kWh, and competitive production using LMO high‑voltage cathodes and silicon‑rich anodes.
• Materials and binder innovation: Extensive optimisation of fluorine‑free and water‑processable binders enabled improved rheology, coating quality and mechanical stability.
• Dry‑processing breakthroughs: Experiments on dry‑processed anodes demonstrated significantly improved performance when changing current collectors and refining processing parameters.
• Laser texturing: Structured current collectors and electrodes delivered up to 15% higher specific capacity, powered by EU‑based laser technologies (LIPSS and DLIP).
• Digital twin for process optimisation: CETIM developed an interactive web‑based digital twin allowing operators to test manufacturing scenarios virtually and reduce trial‑and‑error on pilot lines.
• Towards scalable cells: After promising half‑cell performance, GIGAGREEN shifted to monolayer and double‑coated cells to solve early full‑cell bottlenecks. The final large-format demonstrator will be produced before project end.
A sustainability assessment showed that producing cells in Europe—thanks to cleaner electricity mixes—can reduce manufacturing‑related global warming impacts by around 60% compared with China. GIGAGREEN thus combines manufacturing innovation with clear environmental gains.
Transensus LCA: Harmonising Environmental and Social Assessment
Transensus LCA is a coordination and support action (CSA) focused on developing a consensus‑based environmental and social lifecycle assessment (LCA/S-LCA) methodology for zero‑emission road transport. Rather than generating new technologies, it delivers harmonised guidance for all stakeholders—from OEMs to researchers and regulators.
Its main outputs include:
- A comprehensive European LCA/S‑LCA guideline, covering environmental impacts, social impacts, reporting rules and future research needs.
• An ontology and data‑management structure enabling a future European-wide LCA inventory for battery and vehicle technologies.
• State‑of‑the‑art reviews, validation studies and transferability assessments to ensure broad applicability.
• A robust consensus‑building process, involving beneficiaries, industry advisory boards, scientific experts, and consultation groups across Europe.
• Road‑testing of the methodology, including both public case studies and confidential OEM‑internal testing to capture real-world constraints.
The project also identified remaining research needs, including improved traceability of electricity sources, updated impact categories (such as particulate emissions), harmonisation for vehicle‑to‑grid allocation, and better social impact pathways. Transensus LCA provides the methodological foundation Europe needs for consistent sustainability reporting and future regulatory frameworks.
Driving Europe’s Battery Future
Together, ENICON, GIGAGREEN, and Transensus LCA highlight the breadth of innovation underway in the BATT4EU community. These projects illustrate Europe’s ability to lead in sustainable, competitive and strategically independent battery value chains. The next major challenge will be integrating these advances into industrial production and ensuring that Europe gains momentum in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2026, taking place 9–11 June in Brussels and online, marks the 20th edition of the EU’s flagship event dedicated to renewable energy and energy efficiency. Bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and civil society, the event will host a three-day Policy Conference, the EUSEW Awards, the Energy Fair and networking activities aimed at advancing Europe’s clean energy transition.
Held under the theme “A clean, secure and competitive Energy Union,” EUSEW 2026 will focus on strengthening Europe’s energy resilience, accelerating the deployment of sustainable energy solutions and fostering dialogue on the future of the EU energy system. The conference will feature dozens of policy sessions and discussions addressing key challenges and opportunities across the energy landscape.
Bozorg Khanbaei, BEPA’s Executive Director, will take part in the event, contributing to the dialogue with the European energy community and highlighting the importance of batteries and innovation for Europe’s clean energy transition.
The VERSAPRINT Industrial Workshop, taking place on 14 April 2026 in Grenoble, France, will bring together industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to explore versatile printed battery solutions for next-generation electrified mobility. The event will present the vision and key achievements of the VERSAPRINT project, highlighting innovative approaches to battery system design and modular architectures aimed at improving performance, safety, and manufacturability.
Throughout the day, participants will discover the project’s technological building blocks at cell, cell-unit, and module level, alongside demonstrations of potential applications. The programme will also feature discussions on European research synergies, showcasing related initiatives and collaborative efforts to accelerate the development of advanced battery technologies.
The workshop will conclude with a focus on cross-sector deployment, including applications in automotive and aeronautics, as well as sustainability aspects such as eco-design and circularity. An industrial roundtable will bring together key stakeholders to discuss the barriers and opportunities for scaling printed battery systems, paving the way for future industrial adoption.
INTRODUCTION
Establishes the Battery Booster Facility as a 2026 financial instrument under the Innovation Fund to support electric vehicle (EV) battery cell production in the ramp-up phase.
Budget:
- EUR 1.5 billion (2026).
- Financed through ETS auction revenues allocated to the Innovation Fund.
Objective:
- De-risk and accelerate first full commercial-scale EV battery cell production facilities in the EEA during
their ramp-up phase. - Strengthen EU industrial resilience and supply chain autonomy.
FORM OF SUPPORT
Provided as interest-free loans.
Can be combined with other EU or national support, provided total public support does not exceed eligible costs.
Maximum support:
- Up to 60% of eligible costs.
- Capped at EUR 500 million per recipient.
Loan conditions:
- Maximum tenor of 8 years.
- Repayment begins at ramp-up completion or 36 months after signature (whichever comes first).
- Equal annual repayments over 5 years.
- Subordinated to senior lenders.
- 10% penalty if production relocates outside the EEA within 12 months of cessation.
- Disbursement based on agreed milestones.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS & ENTITIES
Applicants must be established in the EEA.
Production site must:
- Be located in the EEA.
- Have at least 10 GWh nameplate capacity.
- Be in ramp-up phase at the time of call opening.
- Represent the first global full commercial-scale EV battery cell production of the applicant (and related entities).
Ramp-up phase defined as the transition from production part approval to:
- 90% nameplate capacity,
- Stable operations,
- Sufficient yield,
- Compliance with off-take requirements.
ELIGIBLE COSTS
Limited strictly to costs incurred:
- During the ramp-up phase.
- From call opening to 36 months after loan signature.
May include:
- Personnel.
- Materials, energy, supplies.
- Contracted works.
- Capital expenditure at the production site.
Excludes:
- Repayment of other loans.
- Dividends, bonuses, share buybacks, or similar financial distributions.
SELECTION & AWARD PROCESS
Open call for proposals managed by the Commission.
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Suboptimal investment situation.
- Economic viability.
- Operational capacity.
- That private financing exceeds the Union contribution.
- No crowding-out of other funding sources.
Award criteria (simplified compared to Innovation Fund criteria):
- Financial maturity and repayment capacity.
- Technical maturity and credible implementation plan.
- Contribution to European industrial resilience, including:
- Supply chain security.
- Critical raw materials considerations.
- IP and innovation ecosystem engagement.
- Skilled workforce development.
- Support to downstream sectors (e.g. automotive).
Proposals ranked and funded within available budget.
GOVERNANCE & SAFEGUARDS
Loan agreements define:
- Reporting, audit and anti-fraud provisions.
- Protection of the Union’s financial interests.
- Visibility obligations for EU funding.
The Commission monitors implementation and reports annually to Member States through the Innovation Fund reporting framework.
Loan repayments accrue exclusively to the Innovation Fund.
Battery Tech Expo Europe brings together leading innovators, manufacturers, researchers, and industry professionals from across the European battery and energy storage ecosystem. The event provides a platform to explore the technologies, strategies, and partnerships shaping the future of energy storage.
The exhibition highlights key developments across the battery value chain, including advanced materials, manufacturing technologies, battery management systems, recycling, and large-scale energy storage solutions.
Alongside the exhibition, expert-led sessions offer insights into market trends, technological advancements, and the evolving regulatory and industrial landscape.
Battery Tech Expo Europe provides a valuable opportunity to discover new solutions, exchange knowledge, and connect with the organisations driving the next generation of battery innovation.
Find more information here!
And register here!