The Battery Innovation Days (BID) 2024 took place in Barcelona on November 26-27, 2024. The event brought together professionals and experts from the battery field to discuss the future of battery research and innovation in Europe. This year's event had approximately 1500 participants, both online and onsite, with 19 exhibitors and 45 speakers, including representatives from the European Commission, industry leaders, and researchers. Representatives from three partners of the FREE4LIB project — IREC, Eurecat, and NextMove — were present at the event.
IREC (Institut de Recerca en Energia de Catalunya) and Eurecat (Centro Tecnológico) jointly participated in the event, hosting a stand that attracted over 50 visitors. The focus was on BATTECH, an initiative encompassing the entire battery value chain, including projects such as FREE4LIB.
Additionally, during the technical session at the BEPA Technology Brokerage Event, our colleague Judith Sabata from Eurecat presented on "Use of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents for the Leaching of Lithium-Ion Battery Cathodes" to an audience of 120 attendees, building directly on a methodology applied and results obtained in the framework of FREE4LIB.
IREC, Eurecat and NextMove also engaged in disseminating and networking opportunities with national and international experts, public entities, and key stakeholders. The event was dedicated to fostering the development of a globally competitive and sustainable European battery industry. Key discussions addressed critical issues such as financing, circularity and recycling, advancements in chemistries and manufacturing, and the integration of artificial intelligence within the battery sector. While acknowledging the challenges faced by the European battery industry, the event also underscored the significant opportunities for growth and innovation. Our partners outlined the aim and goals of FREE4LIB project, which aims at enhancing more sustainable and efficient recycling and reuse of End-of-life Li-Ion batteries.
The event was a collaborative effort of prominent initiatives such as BEPA (Batteries European Partnership Association), IPCEI, Battery 2030+, and Batteries Europe. We send them our warmest thanks for the organisation of the event.
