NAATBatt 2026 Recycling & Lifecycle Management Workshop -- IMPORTANT DEADLINE ON MONDAY!

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. Register now for the Workshop! Click here for more information and to register.

Also, all NAATBatt members whose primary business is recycling or repurposing batteries are invited to give short "2nd use case study" or "meet the recyclers" presentations as part of the workshop. Signing up to give such a talk is part of the workshop registration form. But the deadline for sign ups is EOB next Monday, June 15. So if you want to share your company's story about recycling or second use, REGISTER NOW!.

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

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. 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 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 very important question of how the explosive need of data centers for electric power can, by the deployment of innovative new energy technologies, be made to benefit all electricity users.

Learn more about the program and sponsorship packages 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 Electrified Materials Corporation (EMCO). EMCO is a leading provider of recycling and circular solutions for end-of-life batteries, magnets, and ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Processed materials from EMCO are further refined into high-purity critical and rare earth elements for battery, permanent magnet, and advanced technology manufacturing through existing partnerships. Learn more at electrifiedmaterials.com.

NAATBatt welcomes Public Benefit member UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), a nonprofit organization that translates safety science into action through standards development, partnerships, and advocacy. Since 1903, ULSE has developed nearly 1,700 standards and guidance documents for products ranging from fire doors to autonomous vehicles. ULSE enables innovation and grows trust by convening experts and informing policymakers and regulators as we work toward a safer, more secure and sustainable future. Learn more at ulse.org.

Member Press Releases

American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) announced it has won its appeal with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for the reinstatement of its competitive grant award to support the $115 million project for the construction of the first phase of its commercial scale critical mineral lithium refinery as part of its Tonopah Flats Lithium Project (TFLP).

Click here for the full news release.

Livium Ltd announced that its subsidiary Envirostream Australia has signed a Framework Contract with CATL HK, to provide battery collection, logistics, and recycling services. The non-exclusive agreement formalises their existing relationship and runs until 15 May 2029. 

Click here for the full news release.

Peak Energy announced a strategic partnership with General Motors, backed by GM Ventures, to develop and deploy next-generation sodium-ion batteries for grid storage by combining Peak’s passively cooled storage tech with GM’s cell expertise to deliver more affordable, reliable stationary energy storage.

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

Battery Passport Countdown: Are You Ready for 2027? 

The clock is ticking on the EU Battery Passport, and manufacturers across the battery supply chain face a critical question: Do you know where your data is coming from – and can you prove it?

At the latest NAATBatt Track & Trace Community meeting, Laura Wagner of General Motors, led an in-depth discussion on the rapidly evolving requirements surrounding battery traceability, carbon footprint reporting, and supply chain due diligence. While the EU Battery Passport launches in February 2027, significant uncertainty remains, particularly around carbon footprint methodologies and how electricity sources will be allocated in emissions calculations.

Discussion highlighted a growing reality: Compliance will require far more than collecting data. Companies will need auditable, high-quality information spanning materials, processes, locations, and emissions throughout the supply chain. For many organizations, building the governance and infrastructure to manage that information may be as challenging as the regulations themselves.

The group also examined the broader value of traceability beyond compliance. Battery passports could become powerful tools for demonstrating supply chain transparency, supporting warranty management, improving emergency response, and strengthening customer trust.

Attendees also received updates on the evolving SAE Battery Traceability Standard and discussed how governments may leverage traceability data for tax incentives, procurement requirements, and other policy initiatives.

One thing is clear: Battery traceability is no longer a future consideration – it is becoming a business requirement. The organizations that begin preparing now will be best positioned when regulatory expectations arrive.

The Track & Trace Community will continue the conversation at its next meeting on September 9. Interested in participating? Become a member of the Community by completing NAATBatt’s Community Sign-up Form and join the discussion shaping the future of battery traceability.

Li-Bridge Corner

Li-Bridge Highlights Battery Traceability Efforts at TTO Annual Merit Review

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Transportation Technologies Office (TTO) Annual Merit Review (AMR) brings together government entities, national laboratories, and industry stakeholders to present and evaluate work in critical transportation areas, including batteries, infrastructure, and automation.

This year’s TTO AMR was held June 1–4 in Washington, D.C. Li-Bridge convened representatives from government agencies focused on batteries and electrification. Thomas Do, Frank Menchaca, Bryant Polzin, and Dave Roberts presented their Li-Bridge–sponsored work on battery traceability and data standardization. They also engaged in discussions about its applications across a range of use cases, including vehicles, energy storage, and defense.

For more information, please contact Frank Menchaca.

Advanced Battery Industry News

EVE Energy has signed 67GWh (gigawatt-hours) of agreements with 5 partners across China and Brazil. They are Shanghai Electric Power Electronics, Jiangsu Vertrans Energy Technology, Zhejiang Savant Digital Energy Technology, Tianjin RY Energy and Genesis Energia e Tecnologia. (Source: Eve Energy)

BYD is planning to invest about 2 billion Euros ($2.3 billion) to install 3,000 ‘Flash Chargers’ across Europe by the end of 2027. (Source: The Verge/SlashDot)

Fox ESS has signed a 5GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) agreement with OSW. The 2-year supply agreement will support the deployment of Fox's solutions throughout Australia. (Source: Fox ESS)

Merus Power (Finland-based) and Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) have signed a cooperation agreement to deliver about 3GWh of BESS across Northern Europe, extending a 3-year partnership. (Source: Merus Power)

CATL has received an order for 2,400MWh (megawatt-hours) of battery storage from Edify Energy for the Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap Solar Power Stations in Australia. (Source: CATL)

China plans to invest about 2 trillion yuan ($295 billion) over the next 5 years to build a network of interconnected data centers. China Mobile, China Telecom and others are expected to run most of the infrastructure, with a focus on sourcing at least 80% of technologies, including AI chips, from domestic suppliers such as Huawei. (Source: Yahoo Finance)

EDP Renewables North America (EDP) and Salt River Project have completed the 200MW/800MWh Flatland Energy Storage BESS in Coolidge, Arizona. (Source: EDP)

Jinko ESS (subsidiary of JinkoSolar) has delivered 722MWh of energy storage equipment for a renewable energy base project in India. The project uses 144 SunTera G2 liquid-cooling systems.(Source: Jinko ESS)

Sungrow and Sunotec have commissioned a 150MW/600MWh BESS in Nova Zagora, Bulgaria. The project was developed and owned by Enery. (Source: Sungrow)

Rolls-Royce Power Systems and Sunly have signed agreements to build 4 BESS in Latvia with a combined capacity of 490MWh. The first mtu EnergyPack system is scheduled to begin operation in early 2027, with the remaining sites coming online later that year. (Source: Rolls-Royce Power Systems)

Peak Energy has partnered with General Motors (GM) to develop sodium-ion battery cells for grid storage. GM is also leveraging its connected vehicles to support vehicle-to-grid (V2G) power flow and has started testing and is partnered with Pacific Gas & Electric and DTE Energy. (Source: GM & Peak Energy)

KKR, Kuwait Investment Authority, NVIDIA, and Vistra have launched Helix Digital Infrastructure, a new platform building integrated data center, power, and connectivity solutions for hyperscalers driven by AI demand. The venture launches with over $10 billion in initial capital commitments, with NVIDIA contributing AI infrastructure expertise and Vistra serving as the preferred power provider. (Source: KKR)

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Meta announced a partnership to develop a data centre project in Jamnagar, Gujarat. RIL will build a 168MW facility within 2 years. (Source: RIL)

Envirostream Australia (subsidiary of Livium) has signed a Framework Contract with CATL HK to provide battery collection, logistics, and recycling services. The non-exclusive agreement formalises their existing relationship and runs until May 2029. (Source: Livium)

Aqua Metals has been selected as the industrial partner on a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funded research program led by Idaho National Laboratory to evaluate electrochemical methods for recovering nickel and cobalt from lithium-ion (li-ion) battery recycling streams. (Source: Aqua Metals)

BYD is looking to take over an existing factory in southern Europe for its second assembly plant on the continent, with Spain among the countries ‌on its shortlist. (Source: Reuters)

WLF Energy (Germany-based) and Farasis Energy have signed an agreement to commercialize battery and energy storage technologies. The collaboration will leverage Farasis Energy’s manufacturing with WLF Energy’s AI-enabled energy platform to provide solutions. (Source: WLF Energy)

Momentum Technologies announced a partnership with Aquatech to combine Momentum’s MSX technology with Aquatech’s process platform, supporting U.S. production of high-purity battery materials and rare earth elements. (Source: Momentum Technologies)

EnerSys has introduced its ‘DatSafe NoirTM’ lithium-based energy storage system for data centers. 

(Source: EnerSys)

The U.S. DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) has launched the National Science-at-Scale Collaborative to help U.S. companies develop products and manufacturing technologies. The effort is supported by DOE’s Office of Critical Materials and Energy Innovation. (Source: ANL)

Trinasolar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ecohope Solar. Under the MOU, Ecohope Solar plans to purchase and distribute 600MW of Trinasolar’s Vertex N G3 and Vertex S+ G3 modules over 3 years to support projects across Southeast Asia along with the Middle East and Africa. (Source: Trinasolar)

AETC with support from Imperial College London has developed a direct recycling line for treating end-of-life li-ion batteries. The results highlight that if the recycling focuses on only recovering and "healing" of anode-grade graphite (which is the case with LFP cells), the minimum selling price is 9.87 EUR per kg graphite in addition to a low global warming potential of 4.06 kg CO2-eq (vs. an industry range of 8-30 kg CO2-eq). (Source: Science Direct) 

Frontier and Hanwha have signed an MOU to evaluate the potential supply and purchase of battery-grade lithium products from Frontier’s proposed Ontario operations. (Source: Frontier Lithium)

Consolidated Lithium Metals has signed a term sheet with Linear Minerals to acquire 100% interest in the Augustus Lithium Project and adjacent claims in Québec. Total consideration is valued at about C$2.75 million ($2.0 million). (Source: Consolidated Lithium Metals)

ZincFive announced a business combination agreement with Spark I Acquisition Corporation. The deal values ZincFive at about $752 million and is expected to make the company publicly listed on Nasdaq under the ticker ‘ZFIV’. (Source: ZincFive)

Source: CRU Group

Executive Director's Notes

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