On May 15th, 2025, the European Lithium Institute (eLi) hosted the high-level seminar “Sustainable Lithium for Europe” in Brussels, bringing together over 70 stakeholders from across the lithium value chain. The event gathered representatives from the European Commission, industry, academia, and research institutes to discuss the future of lithium supply, innovation, and strategic autonomy in Europe.
The ECOBAT project was represented by its coordinator, Liuba Lukina (Solvomet KU Leuven), who attended the seminar to strengthen connections between cutting-edge battery research and broader policy and industry developments.
The seminar featured 13 expert speakers, including representatives from DG GROW (European Commission), Verkor, BASF, SQM Litio, Lithium de France, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, CEA, Fraunhofer ISC, BGR, University of Lorraine, and others.
In his opening presentation, Gerardo Herrera (DG GROW, European Commission) provided an update on the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). Out of 124 strategic project applications, 47 projects from 13 EU Member States have been selected, covering 14 strategic raw materials, including lithium. A list of selected non-EU projects is expected to follow. Herrera emphasized the importance of permitting, financing, and investor engagement, announcing upcoming pitching sessions and an off-take mechanism currently in development.
Throughout the seminar, speakers stressed the need for Europe to take swift, coordinated action to reduce dependency on Chinese lithium supply chains. There was a clear consensus that constructive cooperation, rather than confrontation with Chinese producers will be key to developing a resilient global market.
Key topics addressed during the seminar included:
• European lithium supply chain security
• Innovation in lithium extraction and recycling
• Strategic planning for 2025–2026 eLi initiatives
During the event, Ms. Lukina established new links with several key actors in the lithium field, including Benchmark’s Federico Gay, Dr. Lev Filippov (University of Lorraine, and partner in the EXCEED project), and Dmitry Tseitlin, co-founder of the Israeli DLE technology start-up XtraLit. Representing the ECOBAT project, Ms. Lukina highlighted the project’s unique contribution to battery innovation in Europe.
ECOBAT aims to develop and test prototype metal-anode batteries based on Li, Na, K, Mg, and Ca, including anode-free configurations, one of the most promising directions in next-generation battery development. The project’s focus aligns closely with Europe’s strategic goals for sustainable and independent battery technologies.
For more information on the European Lithium Institute, visit: their website.