EUROBAT Forum 2024 brings together Europe’s top battery industry leaders in Brussels on the eve of the European Elections
Press Release
Brussels, 5 June 2024
EUROBAT Forum 2024 brings together Europe's top battery industry leaders in Brussels on the eve of the European Elections
EUROBAT, the Association for European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers, successfully hosted the EUROBAT Forum 2024 on June 5th at the Renaissance Hotel in Brussels. As the premier annual gathering of Europe's top battery industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders, the event attracted over 100 influential attendees.
The event started with an opening session featuring Dr Marc Zoellner, President of EUROBAT and CEO of Hoppecke Batteries: “The European battery industry has worked and will continue to work together with the outgoing Members of the European Parliament through the end of their mandate and is fully committed to cooperate with the incoming policymakers during the new EU term. In view of the EU elections, we have built today’s Forum conference in line with our EU Elections Manifesto, around three pillars, which we believe should drive the policy framework for batteries: innovation, global playing field and circularity.”
Bram De Wispelaere(right hand side), adjunct Head of Cabinet at the Belgian Ministry of Energy delivered an opening statement, highlighting the crucial role of energy transition and policy in the sector's development.
Fabian Zuleeg, CEO of the European Policy Centre (EPC), provided valuable insights into the upcoming EU elections and their implications for the battery sector.
This was followed by the first panel, which focused on innovation within the battery industry. Speakers included Mathias Amselle, Sustainability Policy Manager at CECE, Samu Paukkunen, Head of Climate and Energy Security at NATO, Pierre Millette, Chief Technology Officer at ACEA and Christian Rosenkranz, Vice President Industry and Governmental Relations EMEA at Clarios, who also moderated the discussion. There is a commitment to pioneering innovation within the battery sector. This dedication not only fosters competitiveness, but also aligns with a broader vision for Europe's economic power on the world stage.
The second panel, moderated by Raymond Ackermann, CEO of Accumalux, explored strategies for establishing a balanced global playing field in the battery sector. Speakers included Chris Heron, Communication & Public Affairs Director at Eurometaux, Aurel Ciobanu Dordea, Director General for Environment at the European Commission, Alex Graf, Senior Consultant at Kumi Consulting Ltd, and Nicolo Campagnol, Manager and founder of Battery Insights at McKinsey. The Critical Raw Materials Act and Net Zero Industry Act provide a significant contribution to decarbonisation by 2030. However, the challenge lies in the effective implementation of these policies.
The third panel, moderated by Kait Bolongaro, Managing Editor Europe at Mlex, highlighted the importance of circularity in the battery sector to minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency. Julia Poliscanova, Senior Director, Vehicles and E-mobility Supply Chains at T&E, Alistair Davidson, Executive Director at CBI, and Eric Ruyters, Secretary General at EUCOBAT, provided their perspectives. Sustainability demands can't be met without the involvement of the battery industry. Additionally, among others, recycling is key to achieving a sustainable autonomous battery sector.
Simona Romeo - Senior Communication Manager - sromeo@eurobat.org
You can find the pictures of the event here
About EUROBAT
EUROBAT is the leading association for European automotive and industrial battery manufacturers, covering all battery technologies, and has more than 40 members. The members and staff work with all policymakers, industry stakeholders, NGOs and media to highlight the important role batteries play for decarbonised mobility and energy systems as well as numerous other applications.
