February Newsletter 2026
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Dear battery enthusiast,
Welcome to Battery Associates’ February 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.
European Investment Bank invests €24 million in TWAICE to scale predictive battery analytics On 5 February 2026, TWAICE secured €24 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) through a long-term venture debt loan backed by the InvestEU programme. The funding will help TWAICE expand its predictive analytics platform for battery energy storage systems (BESS) across Europe and global markets. The platform allows operators to identify potential battery issues early, improve performance, and extend battery lifetime, making the operation of multiple BESS installations more efficient. TWAICE states that its analytics have increased recoverable energy and reduced the workload for operational teams. |
B.A Commentary: TWAICE’s analytics platform addresses operational complexity in managing BESS at scale. By providing early performance insights, it helps teams operate installations more efficiently and maintain consistent availability. As BESS deployment grows and systems become more complex, predictive analytics are increasingly important for safe and effective operations. The continued funding of software-driven battery management solutions signals a structural shift in the European energy sector toward digital optimisation and data-centric asset management. |
ACC cancels planned gigafactories in Italy and Germany, consolidates production in France On 7 February 2026, ACC confirmed that plans for gigafactories in Termoli, Italy, and Kaiserslautern, Germany, have been cancelled and now focuses on its French plant, where production has begun on two blocks, with capacity expanding to 13 and 15 GWh. The original plan for three factories, each with 8 GWh capacity, has been reduced to a single expanded site in France. ACC cited market conditions and the unlikelihood of meeting prerequisites as reasons for halting the Italian and German projects. |
B.A Commentary: ACC planned to build gigafactories in Italy and Germany beginning in 2022, as part of a three-site European battery strategy alongside its French plant. The cancellations reflect a wider pattern of execution challenges across European battery ventures, including Volvo Cars' decision to pause its Novo Energy project after prolonged delays in securing a technology partner amid market pressures. ACC's decision highlights how European battery manufacturing remains sensitive to market demand and investment feasibility, underlining ongoing challenges in scaling European EV battery production. |
On 25 February 2026, EVE Energy announced the completion of the second phase of its battery manufacturing facility in Malaysia, accelerating its overseas capacity expansion. The site, which began operations in February 2025, is designed for a total annual capacity of 684 million lithium-ion battery cells across 15 production lines, with a first-phase investment of up to $420 million. EVE Energy is also progressing international projects, including a planned €1 billion, 28 GWh facility in Hungary and a 21 GWh plant in the United States, both targeting production in 2027.
B.A Commentary: EVE Energy’s Malaysia battery plant is its first operational facility outside China, producing cylindrical and prismatic cells for regional markets including Southeast Asia, Europe and North America. Overseas capacity build-out mirrors a wider industry pattern where Chinese battery makers localise production to align with market demand, regional policies and supply chain requirements. Across global EV and energy storage segments, localisation of battery manufacturing has become a common strategy to serve growing demand and logistical requirements. |
ElevenEs Secures Series B Backing from Caterpillar Venture Capital to Scale LFP Manufacturing On 16 February 2026, Serbia-based ElevenEs completed the first closing of its Series B investment round, led by Caterpillar Venture Capital Inc. Funding will support the construction of a 1 GWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cell factory in Subotica, Serbia, with production targeted to begin in 2027. Building on its existing pilot operations, ElevenEs plans to manufacture LFP cells for electric vehicles, industrial and energy storage applications. More than 350 jobs are expected to be created as the project advances. |
B.A Commentary: Expansion of cobalt and nickel-free lithium iron phosphate manufacturing adds incremental European cell capacity at a time when regional supply diversification remains a priority. Establishing production in Serbia broadens Europe’s geographic battery footprint beyond established hubs in Germany and Hungary. A successful ramp-up would strengthen Europe’s mid-scale LFP ecosystem, particularly for cost-sensitive applications in mobility and stationary storage. |
Imerys shifts focus to French lithium project, places UK project on hold On 19 February 2026, Imerys placed its lithium project in Cornwall, UK, to focus on a more advanced operation in France. The British project aimed to produce over 20,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate annually, potentially supplying around 500,000 electric vehicles. Imerys cited the challenge of managing two large-scale projects simultaneously and confirmed that the French state will invest €50 million for a minority stake in the Emili project, which aims to produce 34,000 tons of lithium hydroxide annually from 2030. |
B.A Commentary: Concentrating on a single site helps Imerys streamline operations and prioritise capital allocation as it prepares to meet Europe’s growing electric vehicle demand. The decision reflects a broader trend of strategic focus and capital discipline within the European battery materials sector, where project sequencing and bankability are becoming critical determinants of success. It also shows their responsiveness to changing market conditions and policy requirements. |
Company Member News
Engineering Industries eXcellence
The IndX Digital Ecosystem for Battery Manufacturers in the U.S
A new wave of battery manufacturing is reshaping the United States. Gigafactories are rising, EV demand is surging, and manufacturers are racing to scale production. But speed alone isn’t enough. In this article, IndX explores how digital ecosystems powered by Siemens technologies help battery producers scale faster, reduce risk and build the intelligent factories needed to power the next generation of mobility. View the article here.
Thermo Fisher Scientific The production of high-performance, sustainable batteries requires innovative technology that delivers value and enables manufacturers to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving market. Find out how the use of an advanced twin-screw extruder supports eco-friendly battery production by reducing waste, minimising solvent use and enabling sustainable practices like dry electrode processing and dry binder fibrillation. Find more information here: Link |
Battery Associates’ Events & Updates The Battery Show South April 22–23, 2026Charlotte Convention Center | Charlotte, NC Join engineers, manufacturers, and innovators at The Battery Show South, the Southeast’s premier event for battery technology, EV innovation, energy storage, and advanced manufacturing. This year, the event brings together the communities behind The Battery Show, Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo South, Energy Storage South, and MD&M South into one powerful industry gathering. Explore a larger expo floor showcasing the latest technologies in battery development, electrification, automation, materials, and manufacturing processes shaping the future of mobility and energy. Connect with leading suppliers, discover new technologies, and attend free show floor education sessions while networking with professionals across the electrification and advanced manufacturing ecosystem.Secure your pass now: Register here Use code BATTASSOC for free expo admission and 20% off a conference pass |
Battery Associates’ Events & Updates
The Battery Show Europe
June 9-11, 2026
Stuttgart, Germany
Join 10,000+ engineers, executives, and innovators at The Battery Show Europe, the premier advanced battery and H/EV event in Europe.
This is your opportunity to connect with 800+ leading suppliers, OEMs, Tier 1 and 2 partners, navigate complex industry challenges and supply chain risks, and gain insights to future-proof your business. The three-day conference delivers expert sessions on cutting-edge battery tech and market trends, while the expo floor offers prime networking, education, and face-to-face demos of global innovations from raw materials to full electrification solutions.
Secure your pass now: Register here
Join BatteryMBA
BatteryMBA’s next cohort is scheduled to start on May 4, 2026, and registration is open! Apply now and schedule your next steps with our BatteryMBA team.
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 last cohort’s lecturer line-up here.
The 800+ 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 Oxford, the European Parliament, and numerous other organisations.
The programme 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 questions, please contact us at info@battery.mba.
Onboarding the Jan-Apr 2026 BatteryMBA cohort |
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