The Global Lithium Tour 2023

10.11.2023

On a world tour for the future of lithium batteries: Global Lithium Tour 2023 stops in Regensburg


The Global Lithium Tour 2023, a high-caliber delegation of Chinese players from the materials industry - including Fortune 500 and numerous companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange - arrives in Regensburg. The tour, which is organized by SMM Shanghai https://www.metal.com/ and started at the li-ion-battery-europe.metal.com event in Budapest, brings together manufacturers and suppliers from the entire materials industry who want to familiarize themselves with the location and framework conditions for lithium battery technology in Europe.

After the kick-off event in Budapest and a short tour of battery production sites in Hungary, the participants of the Global Lithium Tour 2023 had the choice of traveling on to either Gothenburg (Group 2) or Regensburg (Group 1). For the group that opted for a stopover in Regensburg, the following main topics were on the agenda:

- EU battery law and its impact: The participants were given a comprehensive overview of the new European Union battery law and its impact on manufacturers, suppliers and other players in the industry, including the recycling sector.
- Site conditions in Germany: Particular attention is paid to the site conditions in Germany for companies such as BYD and CATL and their supplier networks. The participants, especially the representatives of the supplier networks, are interested in detailed information to explore possible cooperation opportunities, investment options and potential takeovers in Germany.
- TraWeBa project presentation: A highlight of the event was the presentation of the TraWeBa project. Project manager Dr. Uwe Zybell provided important project insights and explained how the project can contribute to the sustainable development of the industry in Germany.
- Regensburg and Bavaria as potential locations: Regensburg, as part of the Free State of Bavaria, presented itself as a potential location for battery companies and their supplier networks. The participants had the opportunity to learn more about the advantages of the region.

The stop in Regensburg was not only an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insights into the future of lithium batteries, but also to deepen knowledge and make valuable contacts.

China's battery industry and the EU battery law: growing importance and reactions

The European Union's new battery law has attracted attention in China. This was especially after a notable post by Robin Chen, CEO of CATL, in which he called on the Chinese government to introduce a battery law similar to the EU's in China.

In response to the current developments, various battery cell manufacturers such as CALB, LiFan, CATL, Farensis, Gotion and others are considering increasing their presence in the EU, whether by entering the market or expanding their existing production sites. This move is aimed at meeting the requirements of the EU battery law and at the same time benefiting from the opportunities of an expanding European market.

In addition, supplier companies are also showing increased interest in becoming involved in Europe, particularly with regard to the recycling of battery cells. With a focus on environmental aspects and sustainability, they want to contribute to the circular economy and meet European requirements.

However, some players, including battery pack manufacturers in the automotive and energy storage sector, have concerns about the EU battery law. They see potential barriers to accessing the European market. As a result, Chinese companies are increasingly investing in the battery sector in Europe and even directly in Germany to ensure that they remain competitive and meet the requirements of the European market.