NAATBatt 2026 Recycling & Lifecycle Management Workshop Starts on TUESDAY in Troy, Michigan

Seats are still available. To register and attend, click here.

The agenda, speakers and presenting NAATBatt member companies at NAATBatt's 9th annual workshop on lithium battery recycling and lifecycle management are now final. The program agenda can be seen by clicking here.

NAATBatt will hold the workshop on July 7-8, 2026, at Michigan State University's MEC Center in Troy, Michigan. This year's workshop will focus on new strategies by EV manufacturers to take advantage of recycled materials, the changing market for recycling given the rise of LFP batteries, and the revival of interest in 2nd life battery use in light of changing battery chemistries and the economics of recycling. Also expect an interesting panel discussing strategies for recycling lithium batteries located on islands.

Don't miss the optional workshop networking dinner on July 7, and the Meet the Recyclers presentations by NAATBatt member firms engaged in the business of lithium battery recycling. Register now for the Workshop! Click here for more information and to register.

Affordable Power Conference & Expo: Innovative Power Generation and Energy Storage Solutions for Data Centers and Other Large Loads

The website is now live and registration is open for the Affordable Power Conference & Expo in Syracuse, NY on November 3-5, 2026. To get more information, register to attend, and get information about exhibiting and sponsoring at the conference and expo, click here.

NAATBatt and NY-BEST are partnering on a new conference and expo focused on the energy storage and power generation needs of data centers and other large loads. The Expo will be a free-to-attend event offering companies providing energy storage and energy generation products to data centers and other large loads the opportunity to highlight their expertise and meet potential customers. The Expo will be co-located with a conference discussing the policy drivers, economics, and innovative new energy technologies shaping this rapidly growing market. It will also address the important question of how the explosive need of data centers for electric power can, through the deployment of innovative new energy technologies and thoughtful policies, be made to benefit all electricity users.

NAATBatt and NY-BEST have released a Call for Speakers, seeking proposals to give talks about new power generation and energy storage technologies that can address the data center/large load power challenge as well as policy initiatives to try to enure that the addition of these large new loads do not raise electricity prices for everyone else. This is the most important issue in the data center industry today. If your company has a technology solution, please apply to speak. A lot of people are looking for effective solutions. To see the Call for Speakers, click here.

NAATBatt 2027 Annual Meeting & Conference

It is not too early to start planning for NAATBatt 2027. NAATBatt 2027, the 18th annual meeting of NAATBatt International, be held on February 8–11, 2027, at the Westin Rancho Mirage in Rancho Mirage, California, just outside Palm Springs. The NAATBatt annual meeting features presentations by leading consulting firms and market analysts about various sectors of the battery market, in-person meetings of all 18 NAATBatt communities, Member Update Presentations by NAATBatt member firms, and simply the best socializing and networking available anywhere in the North American advanced battery industry. Mark your calendar and watch this newsletter for updates about NAATBatt 2027.

New! NAATBatt Job Board

Looking to hire talent in the advanced battery industry or explore new career opportunities? NAATBatt is pleased to launch its new Job Board, designed to connect employers with professionals across the battery and energy storage ecosystem.

NAATBatt members may post job openings free of charge, while non-members can post positions for $250 per listing. All job postings are featured on the NAATBatt website and promoted in the NAATBatt Weekly newsletter for added visibility within the industry.

Whether you are recruiting top talent or searching for your next opportunity, the NAATBatt Job Board is a valuable new resource for the advanced battery community.

Visit the Job Board today:

NAATBatt Job Board 

New Market Report on Energy Storage for Data Centers

NAATBatt has published a new comprehensive report on the energy storage market for data centers prepared by Avicenne Energy. Available exclusively to NAATBatt members through the NAATBatt Resources page, the report provides insights into one of the fastest-growing sectors of the battery industry.

NAATBatt plans to release 3-4 Market Reports annually covering key sectors of the advanced battery market. The next report on the market for LFP CAM and pre-CAM materials in North America prepared by CRU Group is expected to be released in July 2026. Access to these reports is included with NAATBatt membership, offering significant value compared to the cost of purchasing similar research from major consulting firms. Companies interested in gaining access to current and future reports can learn more and apply through the NAATBatt Membership page.

NAATBatt Lithium-Ion Battery Supply Chain Database

Since 2021, NAATBatt has retained the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) (formerly the National Renewable Energy Laboratory), to produce a comprehensive database of all companies in North America active in the lithium-ion battery supply chain. The database can be accessed by clicking here: NLR/NAATBatt Lithium-Ion Battery Supply Chain.

NAATBatt membership dues pay for the database. As a public service, NAATBatt makes the database available to all users. The database is a public resource intended to make doing business in the North American lithium-ion supply chain easier and more efficient. Thanks to all NAATBatt members for doing their part to make this available to everyone!

The updated database now identifies more than 1,000 companies and more than 1,200 facilities involved in manufacturing, supplying, designing or supporting lithium-ion battery technology in North America. It includes companies involved in mining, material processing, electrode/cell/pack manufacturing, cell component production, recycling/repurposing, and supporting infrastructure such as equipment makers, R&D startups, services, consulting, product distributors, and professional services.

Access the database now to make use of this resource. If your company or facility is not listed but should be, complete the online questionnaire to be include in the next update. Companies are encouraged to review the database and send any corrections to LIB.SupplyChain@nlr.gov.

NAATBatt Communities

NAATBatt has 18 active subject matter committees/communities, offering NAATBatt members a way to hear about new developments in 18 different sectors of the advanced battery industry. And here's the kicker: It costs nothing to join a NAATBatt committee and participate in the community discussions. Just sign up here. NAATBatt subject matter communities are the new "water cooler" of the North American advanced battery industry: the place to hear the scuttlebutt about what is really going on. It makes no sense not to join.

Click here for a list of upcoming meetings.

New Members

NAATBatt welcomes Silver member Emerson Power and Water Solutions. Emerson provides automation, control, and SCADA systems for the global power generation industry. Its software-defined Ovation platform helps optimize plant operations, improve efficiency, and support reliable power infrastructure. The company's portfolio also includes digita able energy automation solutions through Ovation Green. Learn more: http://www.emerson.com/ovation

Member Press Releases

Alsym Energy and ERITY have signed a 9GWh Strategic Relationship Agreement to deploy sodium-ion batteries across the mining sector.

Click here for the full news release.

NAATBatt members interested in publishing press releases about developments at their companies in this section of the newsletter should send their releases by e-mail to Vivian Yu at NAATBatt by Thursday of each week.

Community Pulse

Electrode Materials Community Explores New Market Opportunities

The June Electrode Materials Community meeting focused on emerging battery market opportunities, drawing on member survey feedback and insights from leaders across several NAATBatt communities.

Co-chair Dana Swan opened the meeting with a high-level look at NAATBatt’s recently released data center market report. The report underscored the rapid growth of U.S. data center capacity, with Virginia, Texas, and California leading current deployments. As AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure continue to accelerate, battery technologies are expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting data center reliability, backup power, and future energy needs. Opportunities were noted throughout the value chain, from electrode materials and cooling technologies to lithium-ion chemistries and emerging alternatives.

The Markets Committee also shared updates on technologies and resources relevant to the broader battery ecosystem. Co-chair Josh McConkey of CBAT introduced the company’s domestically sourced anode materials, including high-capacity, low-swelling materials with long shelf-life storage advantages. Co-chair Frank Billotto of DuPont highlighted the company’s battery materials portfolio, including structural adhesives, glass bonding, anti-vibration technologies, thermal management materials, and module and pack assembly solutions for EV and energy storage applications.

Members also heard from Military Batteries Community Co-chair James Trevey, Chief Technology Officer at Forge Nano, who outlined the Community’s role in connecting industry with U.S. military stakeholders across the battery supply chain. NAATBatt’s Military Batteries Community is aligned with the Military Power Sources Consortium, which supports regular meetings, webinars, position papers, and coordination around policy, standards, and R&D priorities. Trevey also highlighted a recently developed drone battery standard, created with input from drone companies and government stakeholders, as an example of collaborative work underway to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in military battery technology.

Together, the updates reinforced the importance of market intelligence, domestic battery competitiveness, standards, policy, and cross-community collaboration as battery applications continue to expand.

NAATBatt members interested in these topics are encouraged to join the Electrode Materials Community, Markets Committee, and/or Military Batteries Community through the NAATBatt Community Sign-up Form.

Board Member of the Week

Rudi Schick – Spraying Systems Company

Rudi Schick is Chief Science Officer at Spraying Systems Co., where he advances spray technology and fluid mechanics research across industrial applications, including energy and energy storage. He also serves as a NAATBatt International Board Member, contributing to the organization’s strategic direction while actively engaging with peers through events and industry collaboration. His research interests focus on nano- and micro-scale coating applications to improve packing density, resolution, and efficiency in energy storage membranes and surfaces, and he is known for translating complex engineering concepts into clear, practical value while mentoring emerging engineers.

• Watch the full interview here
• Interested in meeting Rudi and other members of the NAATBatt community? Learn more about membership opportunities and apply to join NAATBatt.

Li-Bridge Corner

Tracking Global Energy Storage Standards Development

Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) across the United States, Europe, and Asia are actively developing important standards for electric vehicles, batteries, and battery materials. Increasingly, these standards are being incorporated into international trade agreements, domestic incentive programs, regulatory frameworks, and military requirements.

Active industry participation in standards development is essential. It helps companies stay informed about emerging requirements that may affect their products and markets while ensuring that new standards support innovation and do not create unintended barriers to market access.

Through this newsletter, Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) will provide regular updates on standards development activities across the energy storage sector and its many applications.

If you have standards-related updates or highlights to share, or if you would like additional information, please contact Bryant Polzin at ANL (polzinb@anl.gov).

Advanced Battery Industry News

KKR (global investment firm) has agreed to acquire the U.S. and Canadian renewable energy operations of EDF power solutions from EDF Group valued at approximately $4.2 billion, with potential additional payments of up to $390 million. The acquisition includes a portfolio of solar, wind, and battery storage assets and an integrated platform serving customers across North America. (Source: KKR)

Ford's $2 billion, 20 GWh (gigawatt-hour) lithium iron phosphate battery plant in Michigan began production in June. The facility is wholly owned by Ford and uses CATL's battery technology under a licensing and services agreement that includes plant construction and operational support. (Source: CnEVPost, Ford)

L-H Battery Co., the joint venture (JV) between LG Energy Solution (LGES) and Honda Motor, has begun mass production of lithium-ion battery cells for energy storage systems at its plant in Ohio. The cells will be supplied through LG Energy Solution Vertech, LGES's North American energy storage system (ESS) integration subsidiary. (Source: Yonhap News Agency)

Samsung and SK Group are planning to build 90 trillion won ($59 billion) worth of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in Korea. Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions division announced plans to invest 17 trillion won ($11 billion) to build a national AI data center, with construction starting in 2H26 and a 210-megawatt (MW) facility targeting its first operation in 2028. SK will also invest about 70 trillion won ($46 billion) to build a gigawatt (GW)-class data center and 15 GW nationwide. (Source: Seoul Economic Daily)

BMW Group has completed a $1.7 billion investment in its South Carolina operations, expanding Plant Spartanburg and building Plant Woodruff to support electric vehicle (EV) production. (Source: BMW Group)

Norway has introduced a 235-vehicle battery-electric bus (ebus) fleet in Vestfold as carrier Tide Buss has started its 10-year operating contract valued at approximately €575 million (or $658 million). The fleet is composed primarily of Yutong ebuses. (Source: Sustainable Bus)

SK and KKR announced the signing of definitive agreements under which funds managed by KKR and SK will launch a renewable energy platform valued at KRW 2 trillion (~$1.3 billion) in Korea. The platform will bring together renewable energy assets (including solar) previously held by SK affiliates, which has approximately 1.7GW (gigawatts) of capacity currently in operation and a development pipeline that will bring the total capacity to 10GW. (Source: SK & KKR)

The CATL Jianxiawo lithium mine in Yichun, Jiangxi, has obtained a safety production permit and resumed production. The mine has an annual lithium carbonate capacity of about 100,000 tons. (Source: CnEVPost)

Vena Energy (renewable and clean energy arm of Vena Group) has secured approximately $966 million in financing across two transactions to support its solar and battery energy storage portfolio in Australia. The funding covers 294MWp of operational solar capacity, 320MWp of solar capacity under construction, 1,574MWh of battery storage under construction and 150MWh of operational battery energy storage system. (Source: Vena Group)

Hitachi Energy has broken ground on its $457 million expansion of its South Boston, VA facility for the production of large power transformers. (Source: Hitachi Energy) 

Envision Energy and Elements Green have partnered to develop the 400MW/1,600MWh (megawatt-hour) Stadorf battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Germany. The project will be built on Envision's Gen 8 BESS platform. (Source: Envision Energy)

NHOA Energy has received notice to proceed from Neoen for the 215MW/963MWh Culcairn Battery project in Australia. The energy storage project will be delivered under an EPC contract with a JV between Equans Solar & Storage and Bouygues Construction Australia. (Source: NHOA Energy)

Taliva Energy has signed an agreement with Jinko ESS to deploy 400MWh of BESS across 19 utility scale projects in Europe, with a focus on Romania. (Source: Taliva Energy)

Wärtsilä announced its 150MW/300MWh BESS provided to owner and operator Revera Energy in South Australia has commenced operation. (Source: Wärtsilä)

Alsym Energy and ERITY have signed a 9GWh partnership to deploy sodium-ion batteries across the mining sector. (Source: Alsym)

StarCharge has signed energy storage agreements totaling nearly 3.5GWh with AGE Energy and VBG to deploy its ESS and turnkey solutions in markets including Latvia and Moldova. (Source: StarCharge)

Bloom Energy and Brookfield have expanded their partnership, with Brookfield increasing its financing framework for AI infrastructure power projects to $25 billion (from $5 billion) to support the Bloom's fuel cell platform that is utilized among hyperscalers and AI infrastructure developers. (Source: Bloom Energy)

Siemens is investing €300 million ($343 million) to expand production of electrical technologies that support energy transition and AI data centers. The investment will expand manufacturing capacity in Germany, including a supplier facility in Offenbach and upgrades to plants in Frankfurt. (Source: Siemens)

Wärtsilä has secured a €292 million ($334 million) order from Liberty Energy to supply engines for a U.S. power plant supporting data center development. Equipment deliveries scheduled from 2029 through 2030. (Source: Wärtsilä)

DTEK and Octopus Energy Group have formed a JV to support financing for Project RISE, a €100 million ($114 million) initiative to expand rooftop solar and battery storage across Ukraine. (Source: DTEK)

QuantumScape (solid-state lithium-metal battery company) announced a joint research agreement with Honda R&D. (Source: QuantumScape)

EVelution Energy has started construction on the 28MW solar facility that will power its planned cobalt processing plant in Arizona with commercial operations expected by the end of 2029. (Source: Evolution Energy)

Siemens Energy will supply power generation technology and 20-year service agreements for the Misfah and Duqm IPP projects in Oman. The combined cycle power plants will provide nearly 2.6GW of capacity. (Source: Siemens)

Sicona Battery Technologies has secured $45 million in Australian Renewable Energy Agency funding to build its silicon-carbon battery anode facility in the Illawarra region, which will produce up to 230 tonnes of SiCx® anode material annually. (Source: Sicona)

PowerBank has been awarded a U.S. federal contract to build a solar array, EV chargers, and related infrastructure at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in New York. (Source: PowerBank) 

Source: CRU Group

Executive Director's Notes