on the 5 May 2026, the RENOVATE project held its Clustering Workshop: “Circular batteries: Pathways for an integrated value chain in Europe” in Milan. Organised by LOMARTOV, D&C leaders, together with INSTM, the project coordinator, and hosted by AFIL at Innovhub SSI facilities. The workshop welcomed 58 participants onsite and 26 online: experts, policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to learn and discuss the European battery value chain, with a strong focus on circularity, sustainability, and EU regulation.
EU policy perspectives and regulatory developments on batteries
The first session was moderated by Eliana Quartarone, our project coordinator, which featured three keynote speeches from: Martina Orefice, Scientific Policy Support for Critical Raw Materials, Joint Research Centre (JRC); Joan Gonzalez Fabra, R&I Policy Officer from Batteries European Partnership Association (BEPA), and Margherita Moreno, Permanent Researcher ENEA, SET Plan IWG Batteries co-chair. The speakers provided valuable insights into the EU Batteries regulation, current state of play, and how regulatory frameworks are shaping the future of battery research, innovation, sustainability, and circularity across Europe.
Showcasing innovation across EU battery projects
The spotlight then moved to EU large-scale battery clustering initiatives in which RENOVATE is actively involved, including Battery 2030+ and the Cluster Hub. Further details on these initiatives are available in our Clustering section. During this session, 8 projects showcased their innovations and objectives towards battery circularity: AUTOMAT, CICERO, CIRCUBATT, GR4FITE3, RESPECT, RENOVATE, RHINOCEROS, and BATMASS, the latter also addressing broader aspects of the battery value chain. The session was moderated by Alba Lafarga, Project Manager at LOMARTOV and D&C RENOVATE leaders.
Additionally, we encouraged you to contribute to four ongoing Cluster Hub surveys, designed to support policy development and skills in the battery sector:
Cross-collaboration through a dedicated Roundtable
A key highlight of the workshop was the roundtable discussion, moderated by Mihaela Mirea, Programme Manager at LOMARTOV. The session brought together speakers from the Session 1 (JRC, BEPA, and ENEA), alongside industry and research representatives from Orano Batteries, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, LOMARTOV, and BALance Technology Consulting. The discussion addressed sustainability challenges, key barriers and enablers, and next steps, all aimed at strengthening collaboration and advancing a more efficient, circular, and resilient European battery value chain.
The programme also featured a short pitch from the Interreg EU CHARGE project, an EU‑wide initiative promoting innovative, safe, and sustainable battery policies aligned with the new EU Batteries Regulation. This highlighted clear synergies with RENOVATE, particularly ahead of EU CHARGE’s own event held on 6 May 2026 in the Lombardy Region.
A thematic working session for a joint vision in the battery value chain
The day concluded with a working session moderated by the LOMARTOV team, focused on identifying challenges, needs, and opportunities across the battery value chain, structured around four thematic streams: 1. Technical, 2. Policy and standardisation, 3. Market and investment and Research
Closing and next steps
The workshop closed with LOMARTOV and Eliana Quartarone thanking participants for their active engagement and contributions. By connecting diverse perspectives and fostering cross-sector synergies, the event further supports RENOVATE’s mission to accelerate the deployment of innovative circular battery solutions. Participants were also presented with the graphic recording of the day, created by Blanche Illustrates, which is available in our Results section.
Full recordings of the event are available on the RENOVATE YouTube channel.
Opening session and Session 1. INTRODUCTION TO THE LATEST EU REGULATION BATTERY DEVELOPMENTS ON INNOVATION, SUSTAINABILITY, & CIRCULARITY.
Session 2. SYNERGIES IN BATTERY VALUE CHAIN & RECYCLING
Roundtable Session. HOW CAN THE INDUSTRY AND PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT THE BATTERY VALUE CHAIN?
Credits photographer: Guiseppe Macor, Studio Macor, Credits Graphic recording & illustration session: Blanche Ilustrates
