China to implement export control on battery technologies

13 October 2025

In her State of the Union in September this year, Ursula von der Leyen stressed that battery technology “goes to the heart of our independence”. The joint announcement of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs to implement export controls on battery technologies underlines her point. The export controls will be instated along the value chain. From material inputs like synthetic graphite and cathode active materials and their precursors to high-end lithium-ion batteries and key battery production equipment.

In a volatile geopolitical world, similar controls can be instated by other countries for various battery inputs. These controls can encompass the physical, but can touch (and have touched) intellectual property and the export of know-how. If Europe truly wants to strive independence, we need to grow the knowledge necessary to build a local battery value chains to power European cars and grids.

Under Horizon Europe, the BATT4EU Partnership has started to build up the local European R&I community, by uniting all stakeholders within the Batteries European Partnership Association (BEPA). if we want to avoid that the words of President Von der Leyen will sound hollow in the future, a continued investment in the build-up of European battery know-how is necessary. To produce and refine raw materials, to create advanced battery technology, and to produce them here in Europe. Only in this way, we can innovate and create the competitive economy that will provide jobs and security.

The renewal of the Batteries Partnership under the next EU budget is not a big ask. It’s not even just a big opportunity. It’s a big necessity.