Battery Summit to showcase Australian technology and action to drive growth
14 August 2024 – Key players in the battery recycling and manufacturing sector will meet in Sydney on Thursday 15 August to team up on actions to accelerate opportunities in the fast-growing sector, improve safety and deliver an industry-wide circular economy.
International and Australian experts, manufacturers, recyclers, automotive and energy storage companies, investors and government will attend the Battery Recycling and Manufacturing Summit at the Hilton Hotel.
Association for the Battery Recycling Industry Chief Executive Officer Katharine Hole said the industry had reached an exciting point in its development – and again the Summit was sold out.
“We have a huge number of batteries, particularly from both the electric vehicle (EV) industry and the Renewable Energy sector, coming down the pipeline and we need to ensure they, along with other batteries are both disposed of sustainably and technologies to recover valuable battery metals from end-of-life battery cells are developed,” Ms Hole said.
“There are challenges to overcome, but it’s clear that, with the right policy settings they can be managed, and this industry will flourish and meet the objectives of a circular economy.
“Challenges bring immense opportunities.
“The line-up of speakers the Summit has attracted from here and overseas demonstrates there is exceptional capability in the sector to grow. It will build on the success of the inaugural event last year.”
Key sessions for the Summit will include:
Key showcases from innovative Australian battery recycling technology companies
Developing solutions to operational challenges and opportunities in battery recycling
International trends, research and industry development
Managing risks, including battery fires
Discussing academic developments in battery recycling technology from key universities.
SEC Newgate Australia Managing Partner Sue Vercoe will deliver the opening presentation – Headwinds & Tailwinds - on the community drivers of a circular economy, sustainability and social licence.
Ms Vercoe will draw on the firm’s latest July Mood of the Nation Survey and Global ESG Surveys on community attitudes and priorities to set out the implications and strategic context for operations across the battery value chain.
“There are clear learnings for industry from our research, including the importance of setting a strong narrative that builds on community positivity for renewables and support for corporates taking responsibility for their environmental impacts through their supply chain.
“For the first time in two years, we have seen an increase in positivity towards the renewable transition (59% up from 53%) and a decrease in the proportion who feel negative about it (20% down from 25%),” Ms Vercoe said.
“Those who are strongly positive jumped from 19% to 27%.
“What is clear is that most Australians do want a sustainable future, including recycling.
“Industry will need to be proactive in managing the energy transition and building community confidence that there are safe and sustainable solutions.”