Numerous players from politics, academia, and industry have gathered at the KLiBʼs 2026 “Battery Forum Germany” in Berlin. In various presentations, machine and plant manufacturers showcased their technological expertise and made a clear commitment to local battery production, claiming this is the only way to enable innovations in process technology.
Collaboration of European industry players
Around 200 companies organized within the Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA e.V.) currently develop and supply process technology used to manufacture battery cells worldwide. At the European level, the VDMA represents around 3,500 companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector. The “European Battery Innovators” network is set to cover the entire value chain, from material handling, coating, and automation to quality assurance. To this end, the participating companies are pooling their expertise in research and customer projects. According to the VDMA, the cooperative European approach differs from that of large integrated suppliers: Specialized companies deliver top performance in their respective fields and combine to form a functioning overall system.
Minimal scrap, maximum reliability
In addition, customer service proximity characterizes the European way of working. According to the VDMA, multilingual teams, high availability, and competent local contacts create trust in long-term business relationships. Innovative process understanding and the technologies derived from it also guarantee high overall plant effectiveness, minimal scrap rates, and long-term operational reliability.
Circular economy as a key factor
Furthermore, circular economy and recycling are firmly integrated into the process steps, enabling the return and re-use of materials throughout the entire cell production process. At the Battery Forum in Berlin, stakeholders agreed that European mechanical and plant engineering has a key role to play in establishing the battery ecosystem based on the continent, enabling the development of independent production capacities and reducing dependencies in critical supply chains.
VDMA industry guide provides information
An overview of European companies along the entire battery value chain is provided in the VDMA “Battery Production” Industry Guide. In the future, the VDMA will provide monthly updates on current developments in mechanical and plant engineering with regard to battery production at Battery-News.
