NAATBatt 2026 STARTS NEXT WEEK!

NAATBatt International will hold its 17th annual meeting and conference on February 9-12, 2026 at the JW Tucson Starr Pass hotel in Tucson, Arizona. The program will feature annual reports by NAATBatt's Chief Science Officer and Chief Technology Officer, market reports on multiple sectors of the advanced battery market delivered by leading consulting and media firms, in-person meetings of all 18 NAATBatt industry committees, and the famous Member Update Presentations by most of NAATBatt's 380 member firms.

Attention Registered Attendees – Please Check Your Email to Download the Conference App

All registered conference attendees were sent an email on February 2 at 11:13 AM (Central Time) containing a link to download the conference app. The email subject line is “Welcome to NAATBatt Annual Conference 2026.” The networking app will let you communicate and set up meetings with other attendees during NAATBatt 2026. It will even suggest other attendees you should meet based upon your stated interests. Please take full advantage of this app in order to get the best networking experience out of NAATBatt 2026.

If you did not receive the email, please contact Paula Szyper at pszyper@naatbatt.org.

Networking and social activities at NAATBatt 2026. This year NAATBatt is bringing back the trap shooting competition to accompany the annual golf tournament. The meals, networking breaks, exhibit floor, spouses and companions program and other activities are all designed to make it easy to meet who you want to meet in the industry and to form good personal as well as business relationships.

The NAATBatt annual meeting is where business relationships get made and business deals get done. If you work in the North American advanced battery industry, don't miss NAATBatt 2026.

For more information and to register, go to: https://nac.naatbatt.org/nac2026 . This is your last chance to participate!

JOIN THE NAATBatt DELEGATION AT INTERBATTERY 2026 IN SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

COEX Convention Center | March 11–13, 2025

InterBattery is Korea’s premier battery exhibition, convening global leaders, innovators, and investors across energy storage, EVs, and advanced battery technologies. NAATBatt will host a curated delegation, offering members exclusive access, increased visibility, and high-value connections in one of the world’s most influential battery markets.

As part of the delegation, participants will be invited to a U.S. Battery Forum, a full-day convening with U.S. and Korean companies, the U.S. Embassy, and key economic development stakeholders. The forum is designed to foster strategic collaboration on battery supply chains, with a particular focus on defense and national security applications, providing U.S. battery companies a rare opportunity to engage directly with Korean partners aligned with defense-related manufacturing, materials, and technology priorities.

With limited spots available, this delegation is ideal for U.S. battery companies looking to deepen partnerships in Korea and position themselves within critical, defense-relevant supply chains.

Click here to register.

NEW COMMITTEE ON ESS AND DATA CENTERS

NAATBatt newest community is the ESS and Data Center Committee. The ESS and Data Centers Committee is the 18th NAATBatt community providing insight on various sectors of the advanced battery market to NAATBatt members and guests. The ESS and Data Center Committee focuses on the use of battery technology in all aspects of high capacity stationary energy storage, both in front and behind the meter, including the energy storage needs of data centers and hyperscale data centers. The market, technology and regulatory issues facing ESS developers will be discussed and studied. Sign up for this committee, and any other NAATBatt committees/communities here. There is no cost and no commitment to signing up for NAATBatt committees. You will only get technology smarter and business wiser by participating in their discussions. NAATBatt subject matter committees/communities are the new "water cooler" of the advanced battery industry.

NAATBATT LITHIUM-ION BATTERY SUPPLY CHAIN DATABASE

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR; formerly NREL) recently released an update of the NAATBatt Lithium-Ion Battery Supply Chain Database. This newly enhanced edition marks a significant upgrade from the February 2025 version, now tracking 1,178 facilities and 1,022 companies across North America. Developed in collaboration with Avicenne Energy US, the database introduces several powerful new features, including real-time production data, detailed construction timelines, and expanded coverage across the upstream, midstream, downstream, and recycling sectors of the battery supply chain. It is accessible via an online interface or as an Excel download, allowing for easy integration into strategic planning processes.

Originally launched in 2021, the database remains the most comprehensive directory of North American companies involved in lithium-based battery manufacturing. It categorizes companies by product line and includes any firm that supplies goods or services used in the production of lithium-ion batteries. As of the February 2025 update, the database also includes professional service providers—such as law firms, consultants, accountants, HR specialists, and financial services firms—provided they are NAATBatt International members and serve clients in the battery industry. The database is updated twice a year. Companies not listed can submit their information via the online questionnaire. Corrections or feedback can be sent to LIB.SupplyChain@nrel.gov.

If your company is a NAATBatt member and would like to be included in the database, click here to submit your request to NLR. Please include your company name, name of the principal contact at your company, contact's e-mail address and phone number, type of professional service offered, and principal business address.

NAATBatt's NEW WEBSITE HAS LAUNCHED!

Exciting news! NAATBatt’has a new website! Check out: www.naatbatt.org. The new website will, among other things, provide an exclusive portal with links to special resources for employees of NAATBatt member firms. Registration by those employees is necessary to access the private portion of the new website. So please keep an eye on this newsletter and NAATBatt's LinkedIn posts for details on how members can access the new member portal. NAATBatt 2026 meeting in Tucson will include a short tutorial about how to use new website and portal. NAATBatt members are going to like the new resources it provides. You will hear more about NAATBatt's plans and the new resources available to NAATBatt members at the NAATBatt 2026 meeting in Tucson next month.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? JOIN ONE OR MORE NAATBatt COMMITTEES/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.

New Members

NAATBatt welcomes Silver member Graphite One Inc., advancing its Graphite One Project to become an American producer of high-grade anode materials, fully integrated with a domestic graphite resource. The vertically integrated project plans to mine and process natural graphite and manufacture artificial and natural graphite anode materials for lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries and energy storage markets. Learn more at https://www.graphiteoneinc.com/.

NAATBatt welcomes Silver member, KIRCO, a commercial real estate development, construction and property management organization. KIRCO has planned and developed over 30 million square feet of build-to suit, own, and lease properties. Third-generation family owned and operated since 1974, KIRCO is recognized for its expertise in Corporate Real Estate (Office, Lab/R&D, and Advanced Manufacturing), Healthcare, and Senior Living. Learn more at https://kirco.com/#welcome.

NAATBatt welcomes Silver member METech Recycling, a U.S.-based electronics recycling and IT asset disposition (ITAD) provider with more than 55 years of experience. Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Gilroy, California, METech delivers secure, compliant, and environmentally responsible management of electronic and technology assets through a nationwide network of certified facilities, serving commercial, government, healthcare, education, and manufacturing organizations. Learn more at https://www.metechrecycling.com.

NAATBatt welcomes Silver member ReGuard Energy, powering a sustainable future through circular economy solutions for the lithium-ion battery and energy storage sectors. The company also offers warranty and other risk transfer insurance solutions, delivering peace of mind by turning warranty costs into revenue, transferring risk to insurers, maximizing recycling and proper disposal, and managing production and distribution risk. Learn more at http://www.reguardenergy.com.

NAATBatt welcomes Silver member SilverBox Capital LLC, a strategic investment and advisory firm delivering integrated capital and advice. SilverBox operates in a circular model in which advisory work creates investment opportunities, and capital commitments deepen engagement. The result is long-term partnerships that are aligned, high-impact, and purpose-built for each situation, much like a classic merchant bank reimagined for today. Learn more at http://sbcap.com.

NAATBatt welcomes Silver member Telescope Innovations, a developer of advanced chemical technologies, robotics, and AI that help scientists run experiments faster with better data. The company supports health research and battery materials, with a strong focus on lithium. Its DualPure™ process delivers high-purity lithium sulfide, while its ReCRFT™ technology converts brines or recycled batteries into battery-grade lithium carbonate efficiently. Learn more at https://telescopeinnovations.com/.

Member Press Releases

Amprius Technologies, Inc. announced a manufacturing partnership with Nanotech Energy, a U.S.-based company developing advanced lithium-ion batteries. This partnership secures a domestic production pathway for Amprius’s high-performance silicon battery cells.

Click here to read 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.

Li-Bridge Corner

Advancing Battery Traceability: Li-Bridge and SAE International Launch SAE J3327 Standard

Li-Bridge recently hosted a government-only workshop on traceability and the impact of reliable data from raw material extraction through end-of-life on supply chain efficiency, transparency, and resilience.

Over the past year, Li-Bridge and SAE International have been developing a standard to advance the energy storage industry through traceability: SAE J3327. Published in September 2025, the standard establishes a procedure for identifying, collecting, and recording critical data about an EV battery, with a focus on the extraction, processing, and manufacturing of critical minerals. It aligns with the EU Digital Product Passport requirements for batteries (set to take effect in 2027) and complies with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit for battery manufacturers. The result is a globally consistent set of procedures that the battery supply chain can follow, including applications in grid storage and defense.

We need pilot partners! Li-Bridge is seeking industry partners across all parts of the battery supply chain to pilot the standard and contribute to its development, helping to advance the goals of the industry. For more information, please contact David Roberts at david.roberts@libridge.org or Frank Menchaca at frankmenchaca8561@gmail.com.

Advanced Battery Industry News

LG Energy Solution (LGES) Vertech and Qcells announced a multi-year commitment to install American-made storage products for Qcells’ development projects across the country. The agreement includes 5GWh (gigawatt-hours) of lithium-ion (li-ion) energy storage projects as well as lifecycle services from LGES Vertech. The agreement supports Qcells EPC projects scheduled from 2028 – 2030. (Source: LGES)

LGES will acquire full ownership of NextStar Energy, with Stellantis selling its 49 per cent equity stake to LGES. NextStar Energy was established as a joint venture (JV) by the two companies in 2022 to build Canada’s first large-scale battery manufacturing facility in Windsor, Ontario. In addition, Stellantis is taking a 22.2 billion euros ($26.5 billion) charges as it scales back its electric vehicle (EV) plans. (Source: Stellantis, Stellantis)

Idemitsu Kosan, Graphinex, Marubeni and NSC have signed a collaboration agreement to build a Japan-Australia supply network for natural graphite-based anode materials for li-ion batteries. (Source: Idemitsu, Reuters)

Schroders Greencoat (part of Schroders Capital) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CATL and Lochpine Capital to explore the development and investment of battery energy storage (BESS) projects in Europe. The collaboration could support the development of up to 10GWh of renewable energy storage capacity over time. (Source: Funds Europe) 

Canadian Solar announced its ‘e-STORAGE’ business and Sunraycer have entered into agreements for the supply and servicing of the ‘Lupinus’ battery energy storage projects that total 503MWh (megawatt-hours) DC in Texas. Sunraycer will develop the 202MWh Lupinus 1 facility that is expected to reach commercial operation in 3Q27 and the 301MWh Lupinus 2 facility scheduled to achieve commercial operation in 2Q27. e-STORAGE will deliver its SolBank 3.0 BESS and provide 10 years of services. (Source: Canadian Solar)

PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTAM), PT Industri Baterai Indonesia with partner Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt (ZHC) have signed an agreement to accelerate the Nickel Downstreaming Program and investment in an integrated battery ecosystem. The collaboration involves HYD Investment, a consortium of ZHC and EVE Energy as well as PT Daaz Bara Lestari Tbk. The plan includes the development of battery facilities with a potential target capacity of up to 20GWh and an investment value of $5 to 6 billion. (Source: ANTAM)

SpaceX has acquired xAI to form a vertically-integrated innovation engine on (and off) earth with artificial intelligence (AI), rockets, space-based internet, direct-to-mobile device communications along with real-time information and free speech platform. It is estimated that within 2 to 3 years, the lowest cost way to generate AI compute will be in space (Source: SpaceX)

Amprius Technologies announced a manufacturing partnership with Nanotech Energy to create a domestic production pathway for the company’s silicon battery cells. The addition of U.S.-based contract manufacturing extends Amprius’ footprint across Asia and the United States, increasing global capacity beyond 2.0GWh. (Source: Amprius Technologies)  

NextSource has executed a letter of intent (LOI) with Hanwa and Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) for a potential investment in Phase 1 of its proposed battery anode facility (BAF) in Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Under the LOI, Hanwa and JOGMEC are jointly considering a project-level investment of up to $30 million through a special purpose vehicle that is anticipated to represent up to 15% equity interest in the UAE BAF project company. (Source: NextSource)

SK On is in discussions with a U.S. defense contractor to supply batteries for AI-powered unmanned submarines. The company could propose ultra-high-nickel ternary li-ion batteries in the near term, while positioning solid-state batteries as a longer-term solution. Large-scale supply is not expected before 2028. (Source: The Korea Bizwire)

BHE Montana announced the energization of the 75MW/150MWh Glacier Battery System located near Cut Bank, Montana. The system represents a $100 million investment in energy storage technology and supports BHE Montana’s participation in the Western Energy Imbalance Market. (Source: Berkshire Hathaway Energy)

Daiwa Energy & Infrastructure (DEI) has jointly invested with Excelsior Energy Capital and several other investors including Japanese enterprises in a 200MW grid-scale battery storage project located in Texas. Commercial operations are expected to commence during 1H26. (Source: DEI)

The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed an MOU with South Korea’s Asia Economic Development Committee to establish an EV manufacturing plant and develop charging infrastructure nationwide. The project will be implemented in phases, beginning with EV assembly and later expanding into in-house production. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to produce 300,000 EVs annually. (Source: Business Insider Africa) 

Glencore is in discussions to sell a 40% stake in its copper and cobalt operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Orion Critical Mineral Consortium (U.S.-backed consortium) in a deal valuing the assets at about $9 billion including debt. (Source: Reuters)

Alexander Dennis (subsidiary of NFI Group) announced it has delivered two Enviro100EV battery-electric buses to the States of Guernsey (a dependency of the British Crown) as part of a multi-year framework contract. (Source: Alexander Dennis)

Aqua Metals and American Battery Factory (ABF) announced a non-binding MOU focused on the domestic battery materials supply chain through recycling and circular manufacturing. Under the MOU, the companies intend to evaluate the co-location of an Aqua Metals li-ion battery recycling facility adjacent to ABF’s planned battery cell manufacturing operations in Tucson, Arizona. (Source: Aqua Metals)

The U.S. government is launching a $12 billion stockpile of critical and rare earth minerals for non-military civilian purposes coined "Project Vault". The reserve would be funded by a $10 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank, along with $2 billion in private-sector financing. (Source: CBS News)

Adelayde Exploration announced it has entered into a JV with Sienna Resources and Cruz Battery Metals to explore the deep basin lithium brine potential in Clayton Valley, Nevada. (Source: Adelayde Exploration)

QuantumScape has inaugurated its Eagle Line for solid-state battery pilot production, which incorporates the company's Cobra process, a scalable method for producing its QS separator. (Source: QuantumScape)

Guangdong FFD POWER TEC announced its manufacturing project in Cremona, Italy will launch in May 2026, producing FFD POWER-branded commercial and industrial BESS for European customers. The Cremona project will be advanced through the Huzhou FFD Power JV, formed in cooperation with Hangzhou Huasu Technology. (Source: FFD Power)

Alliant Energy is building the Lansing BESS at the site of the former Lansing, Iowa coal facility. The BESS is expected to be up and running by December 2026. (Source: Alliant Energy)

Executive Director's Notes

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