August Newsletter 2025
- Battery Associates
- 6 days ago
- 9 min read
Dear battery enthusiast,
Welcome to Battery Associates’ August newsletter. We have summarised some of the month’s most relevant news, highlighting recent developments and updates in the battery space.
B.A's Battery Newsletter:
Battery Industry Highlights
Company Member News
Battery Associates’ Events & Updates
Battery Industry Highlights
In this section, we summarise relevant battery news from the past month.
On 14 July, Ultium Cells, the joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution, announced a USD $2.3 billion investment to convert its existing NCMA cell production facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee, into an LFP cell production plant. Commercial production of LFP cells is expected to begin by late 2027. Ultium Cells stated that it will continue operating its existing NCMA cell production line at its Warren, Ohio, facility.
B.A Commentary: Panasonic Energy’s Nevada gigafactory supplies cylindrical cells exclusively to Tesla. Its De Soto, Kansas facility, the company’s second-largest, broke ground in November 2022 and is expected to add 32 GWh to the existing 41 GWh at the Nevada facility, bringing the total annual production capacity to 73 GWh, a 78% increase overall. Panasonic Energy stated that this dual region model (Nevada and Kansas) aims to enhance local supply chain resilience and will meet the demand of multiple North American OEMs. Panasonic’s current 2170 cylindrical lithium-ion cells deliver a volumetric energy density of 800 Wh/L. The Nevada facility will produce 2170 cylindrical lithium-ion cells, with a higher-performance cell design developed in Japan.
On July 21, 2025, Farasis Energy, backed by Mercedes-Benz, began pilot production of sulfide-based solid-state batteries. A 0.2 GWh pilot line in China is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, with 60 Ah samples already heading to customers. Its stacked cells utilise high-nickel cathodes paired with high-silicon or lithium metal anodes, aiming for an energy density of over 400 Wh/kg. A second battery platform, based on oxide/polymer composite electrolytes, lithium metal anodes and high-nickel cathodes, aims for 500 Wh/kg. The company plans to scale production to gigawatt-hour levels in 2026.
B.A Commentary: According to Farasis Energy, the 0.2 GWh facility supports sample delivery and testing. The cells incorporate a self-shutdown safety feature, addressing stability requirements for OEM validation to achieve a specific energy of >400 Wh/kg. Farasis also stated that it is working on advancements in electrolytes to achieve 500 Wh/kg. Its current line is at pilot scale, and its validation and scalability will be key in determining its impact on the EV market.
On August 19, 2025, BlueOval SK’s Kentucky 1 plant in Glendale, USA, celebrated a major milestone with the first electric vehicle battery rolling off the assembly line, nearly four years after the $5.8 billion project was unveiled. It claims to power Ford’s all-electric F-150 Lightning and E-Transit van. As part of the $5.8 billion investment, the Kentucky plant is expected to create 5,000 U.S. jobs and boost domestic EV battery manufacturing capacity in the U.S.
B.A Commentary: On July 13, 2022, Ford and SK Innovation announced their 50:50 joint venture, BlueOval SK, representing a $5.8 billion investment that includes the Kentucky 1 battery plant in Glendale. The site is part of the larger $11 billion BlueOval SK Battery Park, supported by state incentives and federal loans of approximately $9.9 billion. The Kentucky 1 facility is expected to create 5,000 jobs, with about 1,450 positions already filled. It will produce batteries for Ford’s models, such as the F-150 Lightning and E-Transit van. By producing EV batteries domestically, BlueOval SK aims to reduce its reliance on imports while supporting U.S. clean energy and industrial policy objectives. |
On August 7, 2025, Lyten announced that it had entered into binding agreements to acquire all remaining Northvolt assets in Sweden and Germany for about $5 billion. The deal covers Northvolt Ett in Skellefteå, Sweden, Northvolt Labs in Västerås, Sweden, and Northvolt Drei near Heide, Germany. Lyten states these sites represent 16 GWh of operating capacity, over 15 GWh under construction, and scalability beyond 100 GWh. Lyten also claims it will restart Ett and Labs operations and rehire much of Northvolt’s workforce. The transaction, financed through private equity, is expected to close in Q4 2025 pending approvals.
B.A Commentary: Building on its previous acquisitions of the Cuberg battery production facility in California (November 2024) and the BESS facility in Poland (July 2025), Lyten announced binding agreements to acquire Northvolt’s Swedish and German assets, thereby strengthening its presence in Europe. The company states that rehiring Northvolt’s former workforce could preserve local expertise, ensure continuity, and support scaling of its lithium-sulfur battery production. Lyten also notes that this expanded European footprint aims to meet global OEM demand.
On August 25, 2025, Porsche AG announced it would halt its plans to produce high-performance EV batteries through its Cellforce subsidiary, citing weaker demand for electric cars and shifting market conditions in the U.S. and China. The move will affect about 200 of Cellforce’s nearly 300 employees, though some may be able to transition into roles at Volkswagen’s PowerCo battery division. Instead of moving forward with large-scale production, Porsche will reposition Cellforce as an independent R&D hub focused on battery innovation, which will also support V4Smart, a battery technology firm Porsche acquired earlier this year.
B.A Commentary: On June 21, 2021, Porsche AG, a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, established Cellforce with Customcells in Tübingen, Germany, a joint venture in which Porsche AG held the majority stake, to develop high-performance silicon-anode batteries for its premium sports cars. In 2023, Porsche AG acquired full ownership of Cellforce, taking over Customcells’ stake. This unit initially targets ~1 GWh annual capacity by 2024, but in August 2025, Porsche AG repositioned Cellforce as an independent R&D hub amid fluctuating EV demand in the U.S. and China. On March 3, 2025, Porsche AG also acquired a majority stake in V4Smart, a producer of fast-charging battery cells from Varta AG, signalling a move from niche, low-volume cells toward more scalable and commercially viable EV battery technologies. The move reflects how slowing EV adoption is prompting even premium brands to reassess earlier investment plans.
Battery Day 2025
25 September 2025
Online | Free to Join | PRO and VIP Tickets Available | Register Here!
We are delighted to host the 6th edition of Battery Day on 25th September 2025, a 12-hour event spanning three time zones to ensure global representation of companies and individuals working in the battery industry. The event will feature thought-provoking panels, in-depth discussions, and inspiring keynotes covering topics such as BESS technologies, battery innovation, gigafactory advancements, and many more.
Whether you're an industry expert, researcher, or enthusiast, Battery Day provides a unique opportunity to engage with global leaders in battery technology! Don't miss out on this chance to stay at the forefront of battery innovation, explore the day’s schedule and register here.
The PRO and VIP tickets include general admission to the entire event and access to 7+ hours of recorded content from Battery Day 2025, which can be viewed later. The VIP tickets also provide access to the three exclusive VIP sessions with region-specific talks listed below, followed by time for discussions:
Asia Pacific (1-1.30 pm CET) - (i) BatteryMBA Case Study on “Making Chinese battery investment in Europe a win-win collaboration”, (ii) Market Trends by BatteryMBA Lecturer (TBA).
Europe (4.35-5.00 pm CET) - (i) Latest developments at Battery Associates, (ii) ”Drivers and Projections for EV Battery Recycling” by BatteryMBA Lecturer Nina Neubauer (Delloitte).
North America (8-8.30 pm CET) - (i) “Perspectives on Navigating Battery Industry Risks & Safety” by Battery Associates’ Consulting Team, (ii) Market Insights by BatteryMBA Lecturer Philipp Wunderlich (Accenture).
Gain exclusive access with the VIP and PRO tickets here.
Company Member News
Energy Transformation Roadshow
7-23 October 2025
Lyon, France | Bologna, Italy | Budapest, Hungary | Frankfurt, Germany | Valencia, Spain | Eindhoven, Netherlands
From solid-state battery breakthroughs to recycling solutions to decarbonised manufacturing, our Energy Transformation roadshow is a series of one-day seminars
in Europe, designed to showcase the latest technologies accelerating energy transition. Join us between 7 – 23 October at a location near you, to network, learn and explore how our solutions empower a cleaner and more sustainable future. Register here.
Introducing the New BCP 65x and 69x Series – Optimised for Battery Formation Applications
We are excited to unveil our latest innovation in battery formation technology: the BCP 65x and 69x series, designed to meet the demanding needs of mid- to high-current applications, ranging from 50A to 300A.
Don’t miss the chance to connect with our team at the upcoming trade fairs in Europe, Asia and North America and learn more about our innovative solutions. www.ingun.com/battery
Battery Associates’ Events & Updates
The Battery Show North America
October 6–9, 2025
Huntington Place | Detroit, Michigan
Join 21,000+ engineers, executives, and decision-makers at The Battery Show North America and Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo—the largest advanced battery and EV event in North America. This is your opportunity to connect with 1,300+ leading suppliers, discover solutions to the latest industry challenges, and gain insights into evolving policies shaping the EV landscape. The four-day conference delivers expert-led sessions on cutting-edge technologies, market shifts, and strategies to stay ahead, while the expansive expo floor helps you source innovations across the full supply chain—from raw materials to end-product integration. Don’t miss your chance to network with peers, explore groundbreaking solutions, and position your business for success.
Register now for an exclusive 20% off a conference pass or a FREE expo pass with code BTS20. Find the link here.
Advanced Design & Manufacturing (ADM) Expo Toronto
21-23 October, 2025
Toronto Congress Centre | Ontario, Canada
Join the Advanced Design & Manufacturing (ADM) Expo Toronto, Canada's premier event for electric vehicle and advanced battery innovation! Taking place October 21-23, 2025 at the Toronto Congress Centre, ADM Toronto connects industry leaders across automotive, energy, aerospace, and more, featuring 350+ exhibitors, 70+ speakers, and hands-on workshops. Don’t miss your chance to network, learn, and experience the future of electrification and sustainable manufacturing—register now to be part of Canada’s transformative EV ecosystem!
Register here: https://www.admtoronto.com/ |
Li-ion Battery Europe 2025 (LiBE 2025)
3-4 November, 2025
Hilton Barcelona | Barcelona, Spain
Join Li-ion Battery Europe 2025, Europe’s premier summit for the entire lithium battery value chain! Running November 3-4 in Barcelona, this event gathers over 800 delegates and 100+ global speakers from industry, regulation, manufacturing, raw materials, recycling, and EV/ESS battery technology. Expect deep insights on key EU regulations—like the New Battery Regulation, Battery Passport initiative, and Critical Raw Materials Act—alongside sessions on EV & energy storage battery technologies, raw materials supply, and circular economy/recycling strategies. Whether you’re a policymaker, tech developer, battery materials supplier, or EV/ESS system integrator, LiBE 2025 is a must for networking, trend-forecasting, and staying ahead in Europe’s fast-evolving battery ecosystem.
Register here: https://li-ion-battery-europe.metal.com/
Batteries Event — Lyon
4-6 November 2025
Centre des Congrès de Lyon • Lyon, France
Join the 27th edition of the Batteries Event in Lyon from 4 to 6 November 2025 at the Centre des Congrès, Cité Internationale. This premier gathering brings together leaders across the full battery value chain — from raw materials and cell manufacturing to recycling and regulation. Expect over 120 exhibitors and sponsors, more than 150 national and international speakers, and around 1,200 attendees. The program includes case studies, policy discussions, and showcases of emerging technologies in sustainable batteries and energy storage.
Register here: https://www.batteries-event.com/
Join BatteryMBA
BatteryMBA’s latest cohort began on September 8, 2025, and the next cohort is scheduled to start on January 12, 2026, with registration closing on December 29, 2025.
The BatteryMBA offers a combination of in-depth technical and business knowledge on a range of battery topics aligned with the sector's dynamic growth. Find the latest lecturer line-up here.
The 700+ BatteryMBA alumni come from 60+ countries, from across the value chain and from various areas of expertise and seniority. They have affiliations with Tesla, Farasis Energy, JLR, Airbus, Hitachi High-Tech Europe, Schlumberger, Bertrandt Group, AMTE Power, the University of Birmingham, the European Parliament, and numerous other organisations.
The course includes a battery-focused case study track, over 30 short presentations from peers, a mentorship programme, networking and career skills sessions, and a roundtable session. Need-based partial scholarships and group discounts are also available. If you have any queries, reach out to us via email at info@battery.mba.
Welcoming the Sep-Nov 2025 BatteryMBA cohort |
Battery Associates services
Battery Associates offers consultancy, innovation, and education services on a wide range of topics. Please get in touch if you're interested in any of our services!
About Battery Associates
Battery Associates (B.A) is a community-driven company on a mission to accelerate sustainable battery innovation - join us!
B.A operates as a global network that unites battery experts (BatteryPRO), a platform for innovative projects (BatteryLAB), and a facilitator of training programmes for aspiring battery leaders (BatteryEDU). B.A's educational programmes notably includes BatteryMBA, a 12-week programme training aspiring battery leaders.
We are rapidly becoming a reference community for battery enthusiasts who want to tackle pressing environmental and energy-related challenges. Battery Associates currently unites battery experts working across the battery value supply chain, based in over 20 countries. We're growing, join us in our work!
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