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Maintaining a high value battery industry in Europe – developing the lead battery value chain

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In 2018 the EU set out its long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive, climate neutral economy. As a high-growth industry, the lead battery value chain is key to achieving a low carbon economy. It's position as a core part of Europe’s industrial base is contributing significantly to the economy, supporting highly skilled jobs in science and engineering and underpinning its growth.

In the last five years, the sector has invested up to €2 billion in research and development into the next generation of advanced battery energy storage technology.

The policy context

More recently a Franco-German manifesto for a European industrial policy fit for the 21st century was published, stating that Europe’s future is dependent on the ability to:

  • Remain a global manufacturing and industrial powerhouse
  • Maintain Europe’s economic sovereignty and independence
  • Inject massive investment to create, develop and produce new technologies
  • Establish effective measures to defend European technologies, companies and markets

Europe has a successful existing battery manufacturing base, producing a wide range of advanced, reliable and high-performing lead batteries for many applications. These provide energy storage to support renewables such as wind and solar power; back-up for hospitals, data centres and mobile phones and power everything from boats, golf buggies and forklift trucks. Lead batteries also power virtually all cars, trucks, buses, motorbikes, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, as well as forming essential safety batteries for cars and lorries.

Europe’s lead battery manufacturing sector boosts the EU economy – employing more than 20,000 people across 15 member states, and many more through the value chain. Within the last 10 years, the EU battery manufacturing industry has collectively spent over €2 billion on research innovation – the majority of these investments contributed to the development of lead battery technologies.

Europe can be a leader in a range of advanced, sustainable battery technologies

Europe is self-sufficient in lead battery raw materials, and the industry in the EU is globally competitive. Critically, it underpins and supports a vast range of strategically significant European industries from automotive through telecoms. Home-grown lead battery companies based in Europe are investing in ensuring the significant untapped potential for innovation in lead battery technology and applications is realised. These investments, with universities and research institutes, as well as companies, are in turn driving a thriving pan-European network of research and innovation across the region.

As a clean, green industry, lead batteries are already making an unrivalled contribution to the circular economy, all while achieving the high growth envisioned in the industrial strategy.

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