Battery-News presents an up-to-date overview of planned and already realized projects in the field of active material production for lithium-ion batteries in Europe. Compared to the previous map from 2024, battery active materials have been clearly differentiated from battery raw materials and precursors to provide a better structural overview.
Dependence on non-European players
The low number of production sites for active materials in Europe is particularly striking, which illustrates the continued dependence on non-European supply chains. Some countries – such as Norway, Finland, and Hungary – are proving to be attractive locations due to their access to cheap and available energy or less stringent regulatory frameworks.
Concentration on silicon as anode material
Several production facilities for LFP cathode materials are currently being set up in Europe. However, with a few exceptions, these are not yet in operation. At the same time, there is an increasing focus on silicon as an anode material, while no known sites are yet producing active anode material (AAM) based on natural graphite.
Recycling and active material production
The Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) of RWTH Aachen University, which conducts research into both battery recycling and active material production, expects the two areas to become more closely interlinked in the coming years. Through this integration, recycling companies could increasingly produce precursor materials (pCAM) to help cell manufacturers and OEMs fulfil the increasingly stringent regulatory requirements along the supply chain.
Further information from research
The information presented is based on official company announcements and reliable public sources. The Battery-News team will be happy to receive information on missing companies or additions to the content. For more detailed information on active material production, PEM RWTH Aachen University expert Valentin Mussehl is available by e-mail: v.mussehl@pem.rwth-aachen.de
