NAATBatt 2026 Recycling & Lifecycle Management Workshop -- Final Agenda and Speakers Announced

The agenda, speakers and presenting NAATBatt member companies at NAATBatt's 9th annual workshop on lithium battery recycling and lifecycle management have been announced and 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.

Member Press Releases

Soteria Battery Innovation Group has licensed a reticulated current collector technology that addresses a challenge in lithium-ion batteries related to electrode cracking and delamination from the current collector as cells age and undergo expansion and contraction during use. The technology, developed at Rutgers University, will be added to Soteria's Battery Safety IP Exchange for licensing within the industry.

Click here for the full news release.

Forge Nano announced a partnership with Samsung SDI to support the development of its planned 3 GWh-per-year battery gigafactory in North Carolina. Samsung SDI will provide manufacturing support, conditionally purchase battery cells beginning in 2028, and authorize Forge Nano to distribute its battery cells in the U.S. The facility will manufacture battery cells for both companies.

Click here for the full news release.

Nano One and Worley Chemetics have completed a One-Pot™ LFP cathode active material (CAM) package engineered to a Class 3 cost estimate using qualified equipment from North America, Europe, and South Africa, advancing the project to market.

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

Advancing Battery Safety Through Smarter Protection and Earlier Detection

As battery technologies continue to evolve, so do the strategies for keeping them safe. During its latest meeting, the NAATBatt Battery Safety Community examined two promising innovations that address one of the industry's greatest challenges – thermal runaway. Presenters showcased a new flexible thermal protection material designed for increasingly complex battery pack designs, alongside an early-warning sensor capable of detecting electrochemical changes before traditional monitoring methods can identify a problem. Together, the presentations highlighted how advances in both passive protection and active detection are helping improve battery safety across electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and other demanding applications.

Gerhard Koeberl of Isovolta introduced a new flexible, mica-free thermal protection material engineered to conform to complex battery pack geometries without sacrificing performance. Unlike traditional rigid barriers, the lightweight material can wrap around corners and vertical surfaces while maintaining thermal and electrical insulation during thermal runaway events. Testing demonstrated its ability to withstand vent gas temperatures exceeding 1,000°C while significantly reducing backside temperatures, offering battery designers greater flexibility without compromising safety.

Youssef Mansour of Detroit Engineered Products followed with a presentation on an innovative electrochemical sensor capable of detecting thermal runaway much earlier than conventional gas, pressure, or temperature sensors. By monitoring changes occurring inside the battery cell before venting begins, the technology can provide valuable additional time for battery management systems to initiate protective measures. Test results demonstrated detection occurring minutes before traditional warning methods, potentially allowing operators to prevent or mitigate thermal runaway events before they escalate.

The presentations generated thoughtful discussion on applications across evolving battery chemistries, including NMC and LFP systems, highlighting the industry's continued focus on advancing safer battery designs through innovative materials, intelligent sensing technologies, and collaborative engineering.

Industry members interested in staying engaged in these important discussions are encouraged to join the Battery Safety Community, where members connect with industry experts and explore the evolving technologies, standards, and practices shaping battery safety. To join, complete the NAATBatt Community Sign-Up Form.

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

NatPower and Tesla have entered into a multi-year supply agreement for over 25GWh (gigawatt-hours) of battery energy storage systems (BESS) across European markets. NatPower will own and operate projects sited in Italy and the United Kingdom. Tesla will provide Megapack, BESS as well as EPC and bankable trading services through its Autobidder platform. (Source: NatPower)

Forge Nano announced a partnership with Samsung SDI to support the development of its planned 3 GWh per year battery gigafactory in North Carolina. Samsung SDI will provide manufacturing support, conditionally purchase battery cells beginning in 2028, and authorize Forge Nano to distribute its battery cells in the U.S. The facility will manufacture battery cells for both companies. (Source: Forge Nano)

Envision Energy has signed a 660MWh (megawatt-hour) BESS supply agreement with the SOLA Group and WBHO for South Africa's Naos-1 project that also combines 300MW of solar to deliver dispatchable renewable power to private businesses. (Source: Envision Energy)

Canadian Solar's e-STORAGE business has signed an agreement with a Florida utility to supply a 95MW/426MWh BESS. The project is scheduled for installation in 2H27, with operations expected to begin in early 2028. (Source: Canadian Solar)

Sigenergy has secured a 5GWh distribution agreement with Energy Spurt, focusing on Australia and other APAC markets. (Source: Sigenergy)

Canadian Solar's e-STORAGE business will supply a 75MW/381MWh BESS to Apex Clean Energy for the Coldwater Solar facility in Michigan. The integrated system will include SolBank 3.0 battery blocks, power conversion systems, and an energy management platform, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2027 and commercial operation targeted for mid-2027. (Source: Canadian Solar)

Nextpower™ announced an agreement to acquire Zimmermann PV-Steel Group (Germany-based) which has deployed over 20GW of solar capacity. The deal, valued at up to €330 million ($378 million) is expected to close during Nextpower’s FY2027. (Source: NextPower)

CATL announced it would form a 50:50 joint venture with Octopus Energy in which the companies will jointly build a battery swap network for electric heavy trucks. Under the plan, the first demonstration swap stations are expected to be built and put into operation in the U.K. in 2027. (Source: CnEVPost)

Sunrun, Renew Home and Tesla announced an agreement to provide over 16GW of energy capacity to hyperscalers and utilities. The partnership will aggregate existing home energy and demand response devices into local energy solutions that requires no additional hardware, software, interconnection, water, or land from customers. (Source: Sunrun)

Energy Forge One (Chevron subsidiary) has signed a 20-year agreement with Microsoft to develop Project Kilby, a co-located power facility in Texas that will supply dedicated electricity to a Microsoft data center. The project is expected to provide about 2.67GW of capacity through a phased buildout. (Source: Chevron)

Energy Dome and Google have signed an agreement for a 23MW/200MWh CO2 battery project in Ireland. The CO2 battery technology stores energy by compressing CO2 and generating electricity by expanding it through a turbine when power is needed. (Source: Energy Dome)

ENGIE and Flower Infrastructure Technologies AB have signed a 7-year virtual Flexibility Purchase Agreement (also referred to as a virtual toll) covering 126MW of BESS-backed flexible capacity in Germany. The agreement begins on January 1, 2029. (Source: Flower)

VinFast Auto India (VinFast subsidiary) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Capital to provide auto and inventory financing for its exclusive dealer network. The partnership aims to provide a suite of financing solutions to VinFast India's dealer network. (Source: Vinfast)

Valeo and Nissan have signed an agreement to commercialize Valeo’s bidirectional charging stations across Europe, beginning in the U.K. (Source: Valeo)

RMZ (India-based) plans to expand its data center capacity to 2-3GW (from 250MW) over the next 5 years as part of a $35 billion investment strategy. The company is in talks on three projects that would lift total capacity above 1GW and plans to acquire land to support 2GW of data center capacity. (Source: Reuters)

CATL has unveiled its ‘TENER Sodium’ sodium-ion energy storage system that delivers over 30MWh of capacity and provides storage durations from 1 to 8 hours. The company expects cumulative shipments to reach 1GWh by the end of 2026, with global deliveries beginning in June 2027. (Source: CATL)

Ore Energy (Netherlands-based) will supply Budget Thuis with 1GWh of iron-air energy storage. The deal starts with a committed 400MWh phase scheduled for delivery in 2028. Iron-air batteries store energy by converting iron oxide to iron during charging and back to rust during discharge, and use iron, water, and air to enable storage durations of 24 to 100 hours. (Source: PV Magazine)

The U.S. Army has conditionally awarded long-term leases to four companies to develop mineral processing facilities at Army installations in Alabama, Arkansas, Texas and Utah. The projects will support domestic processing of graphite (Titan Mining), lithium (EnergyX), boron (Ioneer USA), and dysprosium and terbium (REalloys).Construction is expected to begin as early as 2027, with initial operations targeted for 2028, pending final lease agreements. (Source: U.S Army & Titan Mining)

Shell has unveiled its Triple 10 Challenge electric vehicle (EV) concept car that is designed to achieve 10 kilometers (6.2 miles)/kilowatt-hour (kWh) efficiency, charge from 10% to 80% in under 10 minutes on a standard 175kW charger. (Source: Shell)

Ioneer announced the entry into non-binding letters of intent (LOI) with the Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation, the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Hyundai Engineering to advance the development of the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project. (Source: Ioneer)

Soteria Battery Innovation Group (Soteria) has licensed a reticulated current collector technology that addresses a challenge in lithium-ion batteries related to electrode cracking and delamination from the current collector as cells age and undergo expansion and contraction during use. The technology, developed at Rutgers University, will be added to Soteria's Battery Safety IP Exchange for licensing within the industry. (Source: Soteria)

PowerX (Japan-based) has received an order for a large-scale BESS destined for Vietnam. (Source: PowerX)

ESS Tech has identified about $1 billion in opportunities and is accelerating development of its sodium-ion platform to meet growing demand for safer, domestically sourced energy storage solutions. (Source: ESS Tech)

Source: CRU Group

Executive Director's Notes