The lithium-ion battery industry is at a critical juncture, shaped by technological breakthroughs, evolving regulations, and the growing need for sustainable energy solutions.
At the Shanghai Metals Market 2nd Lithium-Ion Battery Europe Conference in Brussels, industry leaders discussed the future of battery technology, the collaboration between China and the EU, and the role of regulation in driving innovation and securing supply chains.
The lithium-ion battery market has seen remarkable progress over the past few decades. Richard Clark, Global Head of Specialty Materials and Processes from Appian Capital Advisory, highlighted the dramatic reduction in cell prices, which have fallen from over $1,000 per kilowatt hour in 2008 to under $50 per kilowatt hour in 2024.
This significant price drop has made electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems more accessible and economically viable. Clark noted, “When I started, it was an industry that was dominated by Japan. As you probably know, the commercialisation started in 1991 with Sony.”
The shift from the 3Cs market (cell phones, computers, and camcorders) to electric vehicles and energy storage has been transformative. Clark added, “Energy storage is a reality. And now we’re seeing new science come along. People are looking at sodium-ion batteries, solid state, and other variations.”
He emphasised the intersection of politics, geopolitics, and science under the umbrella of climate change, predicting, “This is going to be a really interesting decade.”
Reflecting on his 27 years in the industry, Clark observed the geographical shifts in manufacturing dominance. “It’s surprising to me, having seen the industry move from Japan to Korea, then to China, back to Japan, and now seeing Europe and the U.S. becoming strong participants in the manufacturing chain.”
Collaboration between China and the EU
Logan Lu, CEO of Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) Information and Technology Co., emphasised the importance of collaboration between China and the EU, advocating for mutual growth in different supply chains.
“I believe the topics and the discussion and the communication between China and the EU should also be about collaboration and the mutual growth in different supply chains,” Lu stated. This collaborative approach is crucial for fostering innovation and ensuring a stable supply chain for lithium-ion batteries.
The EU Green Deal and industrial development
The EU Green Deal is set to transform industrial development in Europe, making sustainability a mandatory aspect of business operations. Giorgia Apicoco of Huawei highlighted the groundbreaking nature of the legislative framework, which aims to reshape the way business is conducted in Europe.
“The EU Green Deal is providing more than 50 laws that have been proposed in the past four years exactly to shape the way we look at business, shape the way we do business in Europe,” she explained.
This initiative is seen as an opportunity to drive industrial innovation and efficiency, aligning with the EU’s environmental sustainability values. Georgia emphasised: “The EU Green Deal should be seen mostly as an opportunity, but it doesn’t come without challenges. It’s an opportunity because it makes sustainability mandatory, so it actually builds a business case for sustainability.”
The role of regulation
Regulation plays a dual role in stimulating business and creating markets. Ilka von Dalwigk, Policy Manager at InnoEnergy, discussed the importance of balanced regulation. “The role of regulation is really twofold. It can be seen as a carrot and a stick, and I hope most of the time they’re working together in a balanced way to actually stimulate business and create sometimes market where there currently is no market,” she said.
Von Dalwigk called for more policy coherence and a reduction in red tape to support the growing battery industry. “Sometimes I wish that really there would be also more policy coherence because it’s certainly bringing a lot of additional layers, and a lot of the legislation also comes with reporting,” she noted. Simplifying these processes would help companies focus on innovation and growth.
Tianqi Lithium’s vision
“We are optimistic about the demand outlook for lithium products in the European market, largely driven by the growing need for electric vehicles and energy storage systems,” Frank Ha, Director and CEO of Tianqi Lithium, told Euractiv.
Tianqi Lithium is dedicated to harnessing lithium resources and processing lithium products, offering sustainable lithium solutions that facilitate the shift to clean energy.
“Lithium has evolved from being labelled ‘industrial MSG’ to a valuable recyclable resource known as ‘white petroleum,’ making a significant impact on the global green energy transition,” Ha noted.
The company operates across key stages of the lithium industry chain, providing high-quality lithium chemicals for lithium-ion batteries, including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, and lithium sulfide.
Ha highlighted Tianqi’s advancements in solid-state battery technology and battery recycling, demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainable lithium solutions.
“Tianqi has made a breakthrough in the production technology for industrialising high-quality lithium sulfide, a key raw material for next-gen solid-state batteries. The company is now collaborating with several downstream clients to improve product quality and lower costs,” he explained.
Enhancing quality
Tianqi’s R&D team has also enhanced the quality of its ultra-thin lithium foil, which is recognised as an ideal anode material for solid-state batteries. “Our R&D team is pushing the limits to develop lithium foil products with thicknesses below 20μm. This will further improve energy density, lower solid-state battery costs, and encourage broader adoption of solid-state batteries,” Ha added.
Tianqi Lithium’s commitment to sustainability extends to battery recycling and reuse. The company has developed a cutting-edge precise extraction hydrometallurgical recycling technology, allowing for the efficient extraction of key resources like lithium, iron, and phosphorus from LFP batteries.
“This innovation allows for the efficient extraction of key resources like lithium, iron, and phosphorus from LFP batteries, achieving recovery rates that are among the best in the industry,” Ha explained.
Driving global energy transition
The lithium-ion battery industry is poised to play a crucial role in the global transition to clean energy. As the effort to tackle climate change accelerates, the demand for efficient, clean, and low-carbon energy sources is growing.
“The global effort to tackle climate change is picking up speed, resulting in significant progress in the energy transition. Efficient, clean, and low-carbon energy sources are emerging rapidly, shaping the future of the global economy and helping build a shared future for humanity,” Ha remarked.
[Edited By Brian Maguire | Euractiv’s Advocacy Lab ]
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Publish date : 2024-10-16 08:19:00
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