Central Europe set to secure EV battery recycling investment landscape
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and EIT InnoEnergy are partnering to develop an investment landscape for EV battery recycling in Central Europe, with an initial focus on Poland.
The partnership will aim to create the investment landscape, thereby laying the foundations for a corresponding ecosystem and increasing the use of secondary raw materials in battery production.
The objectives of the assignment include identifying market barriers to the development of the EV batteries recycling value chain in Poland by addressing technological and regulatory challenges.
This will help identify and establish a suitable marketplace as a platform to facilitate exchanges and partnerships between stakeholders along the EV battery materials recycling value chain, as well as the development of a knowledge hub for learning opportunities and support access to finance.
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Upskilling and material priority
Both the EBRD and EIT InnoEnergy are experienced in the EV battery ecosystem.
In recent years, the EBRD conducted a number of investments in EV battery manufacturing in Central Europe and has built networks.
EIT InnoEnergy, a leader of the European Battery Alliance (EBA250), has supported companies in cleantech and batteries segments and established the EBA Academy which will train future workforce for the sector. InnoEnergy considers this to be key for the value chain.
Marcin Wasilewski, the CEO of EIT InnoEnergy Central Europe commented on the key role of transport decarbonisation within the EUs net-zero ambition.
“Analyses suggest that Poland will have over 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030 and will be a major supplier of batteries to European markets. However, a significant challenge is the availability of battery components. The material intensity of an electric vehicle is almost double that of an internal combustion vehicle.
“While new technologies might reduce material intensity, recycling and circular economy are critical to ensure that supply can meet demand and secure EU strategic autonomy. As EIT InnoEnergy, we are committed to incorporating CEE’s cleantech industry in EU strategic value chains, including a competent workforce.”
Gianpiero Nacci, director of sustainable business & infrastructure, climate strategy and delivery EBRD, added on the importance of batteries for a low-carbon economy:
“Developing markets for secondary raw materials for batteries will be crucial to accelerate the transition to low and zero-carbon vehicles.
“It will also allow the production of materials in Europe and out of waste, with the objective to deliver significant circular economy benefits for everybody, from citizens to investors.”
