NAATBatt 2026 Recycling & Lifecycle Management Workshop

NAATBatt will hold its 9th annual workshop on lithium battery recycling and lifecycle management on July 7-8, 2026, at Michigan State University's MEC Center in Troy, Michigan. The workshop will examine the technologies, business models and economic challenges involved in recycling and reusing lithium batteries in North America. Building a secure supply chain of battery materials in North America may ultimately depend heavily on the "urban mining" of battery materials. Learn about the prospects for lithium battery recycling and reuse in North America and meet the companies and experts that are already doing business in this sector. Watch this newsletter for additional information about the 2026 Recycling & Lifecycle Management Workshop and for the opening of registration for it.

Affordable Power Conference & Expo: Innovative Energy Storage for Grids & Data Center

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 grid operators. Affordable Power Conference & Expo: Innovative Energy Storage for Grids & Data Centers will be held on November 3-5, 2026 at the On Center in Syracuse, New York. The Expo will be a free-to-attend event offering companies providing energy storage and energy generation products to data centers and other microgrids 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. Watch this newsletter for more information about this program and for a link to the exhibitor prospectus.

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, short Member Update Presentations by NAATBatt member firms, and simply the best networking available anywhere in the North American advanced battery industry. Mark your calendar and watch this newsletter for updates about NAATBatt 2027.

ALERT: UPDATED DATABASE RELEASED!

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!

Under its contract with NAATBatt, NLR, with the assistance of Avicenne Energy, updates the database every six months. Updates identify new companies active in the lithium-ion market and reflect changes in the industry. NLR released the latest update on April 1, 2026.

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.

New NAATBatt Website

NAATBatt’s new website is now live! Visit us at: www.naatbatt.org. Certain information and resources are available exclusively to members, and an account is required to access this content. Employees of all NAATBatt member firms should register to gain entry to the private member portal. The portal contains links to special resources and tools. For a guide on how to register and take advantage of this new NAATBatt member only resource, go to: https://www.naatbatt.org/blog/welcome-to-the-new-naatbatt-website

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.

Upcoming Meetings:

• April 7, 8:00 a.m. PT | 11:00 a.m. ET – Energy Materials Community
• April 9, 9:00 a.m. PT | 12:00 p.m. ET – Onshoring Community 

New Members

NAATBatt welcomes Platinum member Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL), a global technology enterprise focused on zero-carbon energy solutions. Listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in June 2018 and the Hong Kong Exchanges in May 2025, CATL is headquartered in Ningde, China. The company operates 24 battery manufacturing bases, including three World Economic Forum Global Lighthouse Factories. By 2025, it achieved zero-carbon plants and carbon neutrality in its core operations and today supports customers in 75 countries with about 1,200 service stations worldwide. Learn more at www.catlbattery.com

NAATBatt welcomes Gold member Quintus Technologies, a company focused on high-pressure systems. It designs, manufactures, installs, and supports equipment for material densification, sheet metal forming, battery processing, and food and beverage processing. Its battery systems support all-solid-state battery production using isostatic pressing from lab to manufacturing scale. Quintus Technologies is headquartered in Västerås, Sweden, operates in 45 countries, and has its U.S. headquarters and application center in Columbus, Ohio. Learn more at http://www.quintustechnologies.com

Community Pulse

Battery Finance Community Explores Capital Strategies and Funding Opportunities

The Battery Finance Community recently convened to examine capital strategies, market realities, and emerging funding opportunities shaping the advanced battery sector.

Jack Perkowski of JFP Holdings shared insights into the financial journey of Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG). Founded in 2016, GMG initially relied on friends and family funding before completing a reverse merger in 2021 that raised $11.5 million CAD and secured a listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The company has since advanced its growth through a joint development agreement with Rio Tinto and additional capital raised totaling approximately $16 million CAD in 2024–2025. GMG is now pursuing a potential U.S. listing, with over-the-counter trading serving as an initial step.

Perkowski highlighted both the opportunities and realities of public markets, noting that while share prices may fluctuate, public listings expand access to capital and a broader investor base. He emphasized the importance of timing and flexibility when raising funds and addressed considerations such as warrants, listing requirements, and compliance costs.

Dave Howell of Strategic Marketing Innovations outlined key funding opportunities. The U.S. Department of Energy Round 3 Battery Materials Processing and Manufacturing Grants offer $500 million, with applications due April 24 and significant cost share requirements. He also discussed the Defense Industrial Base Consortium DPA Title III program, encouraging companies to prepare for future rounds.

Additional updates included potential DOE funding ranging from $500 million to $2 billion for new projects. The next meeting will feature a representative from the Department of Defense Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program to discuss scale-up funding opportunities.

Individuals interested in participating in the Battery Finance Community, receive the April meeting invitation, and engage in discussions on capital markets and funding opportunities are encouraged to complete the Community Participation Form using the provided link.

NAATBatt Leaders in the Spotlight

NAATBatt International celebrates four outstanding women leaders who were recently named among Battery Technology’s “12 Women Influencers Shaping the Battery Technology Industry,” recognizing their expertise, innovation, and leadership within both the organization and the broader battery sector. Honorees include Katharina Gerber of Siemens, NAATBatt President-Elect and Co-Chair of the Electrode Materials Community; Laura Wagner of GM, a NAATBatt Board member and Co-Chair of the Track and Trace Community; Renata Arsenault of Ford, Chairperson Emeritus of NAATBatt and Co-Chair of the Battery Recycling Community; and Alyssia Bostrom of Lava Blue Limited, a former NAATBatt Board member and Co-Chair of the Workforce Development Community. Collectively, these leaders are driving progress across the battery supply chain, from direct lithium extraction and manufacturing to recycling, sustainability, supply chain strategy, and workforce development, highlighting NAATBatt’s commitment to advancing a robust, responsible, and innovative battery ecosystem.

BattChatt by NAATBatt

BattChatt by NAATBatt is a series from NAATBatt International featuring interviews with battery industry leaders about the technologies, people, and progress shaping the electrified world.

In this episode, host Jill Pestana interviews battery industry leader Bob Galyen, CTO of NAATBatt, about his path from aspiring surgeon to a 40+ year career in batteries, including early work at GM/Delco Remy, the Impact/EV1 program, co-founding of CATL, and his current work with Galyen Energy.

He recounts recognition from Chinese leaders for EV batteries’ role in reducing air pollution and shares leadership lessons, including listening to colleagues. Galyen outlines his “five golden rules” for electrification: safety, performance, life, cost, and environmental, and discusses supply chains, workforce training, and the need for stable energy policy.

Listen on Spotify or your podcast platform of choice: 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4VKGOKbOQujnf5mFRQIyYx?si=Eg9hRfS4R-q3OglWgr_etQ

Li-Bridge Corner

DOE Launches $500M Funding Opportunity to Strengthen U.S. Battery Supply Chain

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced on March 13, 2026, a $500 million Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which is the third round under its Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling programs, to expand domestic critical mineral processing, battery manufacturing, and recycling.

DOE is seeking projects across three priority areas: (1) domestic processing of critical minerals from raw feedstocks, (2) recycling of battery materials from scrap and end-of-life batteries, and (3) manufacturing of battery materials, components, and technologies. The program targets demonstration- and commercial-scale facilities supporting key materials such as lithium, graphite, nickel, copper, and aluminum.

This funding opportunity reflects a broader push to strengthen U.S. supply chain resilience, reduce reliance on foreign sources, and support growing demand from defense, grid infrastructure, transportation, and AI-driven energy systems.

Companies operating in critical minerals processing, battery recycling, or component manufacturing are strongly encouraged to apply. While a 50% cost share is required, selected projects will benefit from substantial federal support and enhanced positioning in the reshoring landscape.

Applications are due by April 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Advanced Battery Industry News

TotalEnergies and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar have signed a binding agreement to establish a $2.2 billion 50/50 joint venture (JV) that will merge their onshore renewable activities (solar, wind and battery storage projects) in 9 countries across Asia; Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Uzbekistan. The JV will have a portfolio capacity of 3GW (gigawatt) of operational assets and 6GW of assets in development that are expected to be operational by 2030. (Source: TotalEnergies)

Hyundai Motor Group has begun developing ultra-high-nickel batteries (nickel content exceeding 90%) in partnership with L&F, POSCO Future M and Ecopro. The cells are designed to deliver a range of 500 to 700 kilometers (311 to 435 miles) on a single charge – 10% higher than current high-nickel batteries.(Source: AJP News Agency) 

Georgia Power has commenced construction on a 260MW (megawatt) battery energy storage system (BESS) in Jefferson County, Georgia. The Wadley BESS project, constructed by Burns & McDonnell, is expected to be completed in 2027. (Source: Georgia Power)

e-STORAGE (Canadian Solar's energy storage solutions business) will deliver 420MWh AC of BESS for Drax Group (U.K.-based) across 2 projects in the United Kingdom. The projects include a 60MW/120MWh installation in Marfleet and a 150MW/300MWh installation in Neilston, Scotland. Battery installations are scheduled to commence in 3Q26 at the Marfleet site, with the Neilston project expected to start installations in early 2027. (Source: Canadian Solar)

Mistral (France-based) has secured $830 million in debt financing to fund a data center powered by 13,800 Nvidia GB300 graphics processing units, bringing its total capacity to 44MW. The company aims to have 200MW of capacity across Europe by the end of 2027. (Source: CNBC) 

Ecolab has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CoolIT Systems for $4.75 billion in cash at closing. CoolIT Systems is a data center liquid cooling company with capabilities that designs and manufactures liquid cooling systems, including coolant distribution units, cold plates and direct-to-chip cooling technologies. (Source: Ecolab)

Rolls-Royce has begun construction on an engineering, procurement and construction contract from Voltaria Helios Energy Storage to supply a battery energy storage facility in Falkirk, Scotland. The mtu EnergyPack, with a capacity of 86 MWh will connect to the grid in 2026 and come online in 2027. Rolls-Royce will maintain the system for 15 years. (Source: Rolls-Royce)

FlexGen has acquired Clean Energy Services (CES). CES will continue to operate its remote operations center (ROC) in Houston, Texas, for over 1GW of solar and 4.5GWh (gigawatt-hour) of batteries, while FlexGen will maintain its ROC in Durham, providing 24/7 monitoring, root-cause analysis, and field service dispatch. (Source: FlexGen)

The Azienda Trasporti Milanesi has launched a call worth over €100 million ($115 million) for the supply of 110 electric buses, including full-service maintenance. The framework agreement will run from December 31, 2026 for 10 years. (Source: Sustainable Bus)

Zenobē announced a $100 million commitment to accelerate the rollout of zero-emission freight across Australia. The investment will cover the ecosystem supporting them; charging infrastructure, battery replacements and deployment, designed to match or beat the total cost of ownership (TCO) of diesel fleets. (Source: Zenobē)

Nouveau Monde Graphite (NMG) has executed an updated binding long-form term sheet with the Government of Canada, which has committed to purchase 30,000 tonnes per annum of flake graphite concentrate from the Matawinie Mine on a take-or-pay basis over a seven-year term. (Source: NMG)

ReElement Technologies announced a collaboration with Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (MMC) that includes a strategic investment in ReElement. The companies will develop solutions that enhance supply chain resilience while supporting domestic and allied manufacturing capabilities. (Source: ReElement Technologies)

MAN Truck & Bus has launched series production of its all-electric MAN Lion’s City E city bus (ebus) at its Ankara plant in Turkey. Delivery of the first ebuses is planned for the end of the year. (Source: MAN Truck & Bus)

Cobalt Blue has entered into a consortium agreement with Glomar Minerals for the development of a critical minerals processing facility in the U.S. The consortium will soon progress feasibility studies for the processing of polymetallic nodules that provide multi metal resource containing cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), rare earth elements and titanium (Ti). (Source: Cobalt Blue)

tozero has launched an industrial demonstration plant in Germany capable of turning end-of-life batteries into domestic supplies of lithium, graphite and a nickel-cobalt mix at scale. The facility can process over 1.500t of battery waste per year using its acid-free, hydrometallurgical process. (Source: tozero)

SINEXCEL and AI.net have signed an agreement to expand energy storage deployment across the Japanese market. SINEXCEL builds systems using modular and silicon carbide (SiC) technologies, while AI.net specializes in the planning, development, and operation of energy businesses. (Source: SINEXCEL)

Energy Exploration Technologies (EnergyX) has commissioned a Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) production plant in the United States at approximately 250-tons per year of battery-grade lithium hydroxide using the company’s GET-Lit™ DLE and refining technologies. (Source: EnergyX)

The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology and American Energy Technologies Co. (AETC) announced the completion of their 3rd consecutive commercial Science & Technology partnership project. AETC and its partners are currently advancing the development of a domestic graphite supply chain within the United States. (Source: AETC)

Hyperscale Data announced that its subsidiary Alliance Cloud Services has entered into an agreement to acquire approximately 48.5 acres of land to expand its Michigan campus and address demand for AI and high-performance computing. (Source: Hyperscale Data)

SK On has notified Westwater Resources of its decision to terminate the products procurement that represented the purchase of a portion of the planned Phase I production capacity at the Kellyton Graphite Plant. The agreement was originally executed in February 2024. (Source: Westwater Resources)

Full Circle Lithium announced its first sale of FCL-X™ into the U.S. educational system to a school district in the southeast. (Source: Full Circle Lithium)

Source: CRU Group

Executive Director's Notes

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