Europe's transition towards a competitive and sustainable battery industry depends on more than securing critical raw materials. It also requires collaboration across research, industry and policymaking to improve traceability, sustainability, circularity and regulatory compliance throughout the battery value chain.
These priorities were at the centre of Critical Materials & Battery Value Chains Europe 2026, held in Brussels on 18 and 19 May. Co-organised by BASE consortium partner European Lithium Institute (eLi) alongside the Li4Life project and the Iberian Sustainable Mining Cluster (ISMC), the two-day event brought together experts from across Europe to discuss the future of lithium supply chains, battery manufacturing and policy development.
The event provided an important platform for exchanging knowledge on critical raw materials, sustainable mining, battery recycling, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Digital Battery Passports and the policy frameworks shaping Europe's battery future. Several BASE partners contributed to these discussions, demonstrating how the project is helping address some of the sector's most pressing challenges.
Expert Discussions on Building Resilient Battery Value Chains
The first day featured a series of expert focus groups, allowing researchers, industry representatives and policymakers to explore technical and regulatory challenges across four key themes.
Advancing Sustainable Processing and Recycling
Discussions highlighted the importance of developing robust lithium extraction and downstream processing technologies capable of supporting sustainable battery production. Participants explored how innovations in processing and recycling can improve resource efficiency while strengthening Europe's domestic supply of critical raw materials.
Supporting Responsible Exploration and Mining
Experts examined the role of sustainable mining practices in securing Europe's future battery supply chains. Discussions emphasised that environmental responsibility, community engagement and data-driven traceability must be integrated from the earliest stages of mining projects to build resilient and trusted raw material supply networks.
Digital Battery Passports and Life Cycle Assessment
One of the central themes of the event focused on sustainability, Life Cycle Assessment and the implementation of the Digital Battery Passport.
The session explored how high-quality lifecycle data, harmonised sustainability assessments and interoperable digital information can support regulatory compliance while enabling greater transparency across the battery value chain.
BASE was well represented during these discussions. Shahin Jamali, Head of Monitoring & AI at Fraunhofer IEG and BASE Coordinator, joined Professor Guido Sonnemann of the University of Bordeaux in leading the expert focus group. Suna Akbayir, CEO of Artech International, and Farhadur Arifin, Programme Manager at Technovative Solutions Ltd., served as rapporteurs, helping capture the key outcomes from the discussions.
Participants agreed that the Digital Battery Passport will only achieve its full potential when regulatory requirements, reliable data and circular business models are developed together from the outset. This closely reflects BASE's mission to develop an interoperable Digital Battery Passport framework that supports transparency, compliance and circularity throughout the battery lifecycle.
Creating the Right Policy Framework
The fourth focus group examined the policy and investment conditions needed to strengthen Europe's battery industry. Discussions covered the Critical Raw Materials Act, investment certainty, regulatory alignment and the importance of creating favourable conditions for strategic lithium and battery projects across Europe.
Connecting Technical Innovation with European Policy
The second day shifted the focus towards policy priorities for Europe's critical raw materials strategy.
Sessions explored how Europe can strengthen resilience across the lithium value chain through improved sustainability practices, stronger collaboration between industry and public authorities, and effective implementation of European regulations.
Topics included the social licence to operate, Life Cycle Assessment as a driver of sustainable lithium value chains, regulatory alignment and strategic policy priorities for securing Europe's future supply of critical raw materials.
Together, the technical discussions and policy sessions demonstrated that Europe's battery transition depends on coordinated action across the entire value chain, from raw material extraction to battery production, recycling and digital product information.
Also Read: BASE Review Meeting in Brussels: Key Lessons from the First Reporting Period
Reinforcing BASE's Mission at Critical Materials & Battery Value Chains Europe 2026
The event highlighted the growing importance of trusted data, interoperability and lifecycle transparency as Europe prepares for the implementation of the Digital Battery Passport under the EU Battery Regulation.
These priorities lie at the heart of the BASE project. By developing a trusted and interoperable Digital Battery Passport framework, BASE supports greater traceability, sustainability assessment and circularity across the European battery ecosystem.
The active participation of BASE partners throughout the event demonstrated the project's continued contribution to shaping discussions around battery passports, lifecycle data and sustainable battery value chains.