March Newsletter 2026
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Dear battery enthusiast,
Welcome to Battery Associates’ March 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
Join BatteryMBA - Register for the Upcoming Cohort 17
Battery Insiders Podcast - In conversation with Matt Shen, General Manager Europe for CATL
Company Member News
Battery Associates’ Events & Updates
Battery Industry Highlights
In this section, we summarise relevant battery news from the past month.
On 16 March 2026, POSCO Future M announced a long-term supply agreement with a global automaker for artificial graphite anode materials, valued at approximately KRW 1.0149 trillion(~USD 677 million). The contract runs from 2027 to 2032, and it marks the company’s largest anode material supply contract to date. The company currently supplies anode material to domestic battery manufacturers and companies, including GM, and previously signed a natural graphite anode material supply agreement with a major Japanese battery manufacturer in July 2025, followed by another agreement with a global automaker in October 2025.
B.A Commentary: This agreement highlights the increasing importance of securing a long-term supply of anode materials as demand for graphite grows with the deployment of electric vehicles and energy storage. OEMs increasingly secure anode material supply through long-term agreements, extending supplier relationships across cathode and anode materials. POSCO Future M’s expansion of cathode material production in North America through its joint venture with GM reflects efforts to diversify supply chains and support localised sourcing.
On 11 March 2026, Rio Tinto secured a USD 1.175 billion financing package from international lenders to support the development of its Rincon lithium project in Argentina. The financing supports the USD 2.5 billion project, which targets approximately 60,000 tonnes of annual battery-grade lithium carbonate capacity. The project is expected to begin production in 2028, followed by a three-year ramp-up to full capacity.
B.A Commentary: Lithium supply remains highly geographically concentrated, with new projects needed to diversify output and secure long-term availability. Rio Tinto builds an integrated lithium platform following its USD 6.7 billion acquisition of Arcadium Lithium in March 2025 and its 51% partnership with ENAMI in Chile in July 2025. This signals a broader industry shift towards combining acquisitions, partnerships, and project financing to secure upstream lithium supply at scale.
On 12 March 2026, Morrow Batteries and JR Energy Solution signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish electrode foundry services for the European battery market. The partnership leverages Morrow’s 1 GWh manufacturing facility in Norway with JR Energy Solution’s existing 500 MWh electrode capacity, with plans to scale to multi-gigawatt levels.
B.A Commentary: Cathode chemistry selection increasingly influences battery cost, as LFP and LNMO reduce reliance on higher-cost nickel and cobalt compared to conventional NMC. Supporting multiple chemistries, including LFP and LNMO, this approach enables shared electrode production across customers, improving asset utilisation and reducing capital intensity. This indicates a shift towards outsourced electrode production and cost-optimised chemistries to support scalable battery manufacturing in Europe.
Lyten enters into an agreement to acquire the Northvolt Revolt battery recycling plant in Sweden On 13 March 2026, Lyten entered a binding agreement to acquire Northvolt’s Revolt battery recycling facility in Skellefteå, Sweden, with closing expected in the second quarter of 2026. The plant has an installed recycling capacity of approximately 8,500 tonnes per year and processes lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese, with infrastructure to scale further. |
B.A Commentary: Battery recycling is gaining importance as European regulations set higher recovery targets and minimum recycled-content requirements. Following its acquisition of Northvolt assets in Poland and Sweden, Lyten adds recycling capability through the Revolt facility to support these requirements. The plant processes key battery materials and integrates recycling into Lyten’s broader battery manufacturing activities. This reflects a shift towards aligning recycling with next-generation chemistries such as lithium-sulphur, reducing reliance on high-cost minerals over time. |
Samsung SDI secures KRW 1.5 trillion ESS battery supply agreement in the United States On 16 March 2026, Samsung SDI secured a KRW 1.5 trillion (~USD 1.02 billion) supply agreement through its U.S. subsidiary to provide energy storage system batteries to a U.S. energy company from 2026 to 2029. The batteries initially use NCA chemistry, with LFP batteries to be introduced at a later stage. |
B.A Commentary: Energy storage demand in the United States is increasing, supported by renewable energy expansion and grid stability requirements. Samsung SDI continues to secure long-term battery supply agreements, building on prior partnerships with global OEMs and recent localisation efforts in response to U.S. trade measures. The phased shift from NCA to LFP, alongside its cathode material supply agreement with L&F for LFP batteries, reflects a move towards lower-cost and more stable chemistries for ESS applications. This also has implications for end-of-life management, as LFP batteries require different recycling approaches and offer lower recoverable value compared to nickel-based chemistries. |
Join BatteryMBA - Register for the Upcoming Cohort 17
BatteryMBA’s next cohort is scheduled to start on May 4, 2026, and registrations are open! Apply today 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.
The 870+ BatteryMBA alumni come from 60+ countries, across the value chain, and with 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.
Graduation of the Jan-Apr 2026 BatteryMBA cohort |
Battery Insiders Podcast
Battery Associates runs a podcast called Battery Insiders, which covers the role of batteries in sustainable development and other battery-related topics, featuring a range of battery experts and enthusiasts.
In conversation with Matt Shen, General Manager Europe for CATL
Dr. Simon Engelke speaks with Matt Shen, General Manager Europe for CATL, to explore CATL’s European strategy - from its approach to market entry, joint-venture models, and regulatory readiness to the challenges of execution across supply chains and talent.
CATL is the world’s leading manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy-storage systems. They power global automakers and advance clean-energy innovation through sustained investment in technology, sustainability, and large-scale manufacturing.
Episode Highlights:
Executing the “In Europe for Europe” model through local manufacturing in Germany and Hungary and deep integration into the regional EV ecosystem.
Overcoming talent scarcity and supply chain hurdles by training a local workforce and transferring specialised technical know-how.
Adapting to the European regulatory landscape, including the Battery Passport and evolving sustainability standards.
Tailoring R&D for European needs, specifically focusing on solid-state batteries and cold-weather performance.
Insights on cross-cultural management and maintaining a fast-paced innovation cycle within a complex global market.
Company Member News |
Engineering Industries eXcellence Next-Gen Battery Manufacturing: Scaling Smarter with Siemens & IndX In this Battery Tech Talk, experts from IndX and Siemens explore how rapid market growth, evolving battery chemistries and sustainability demands are reshaping modern battery manufacturing. The discussion highlights key challenges such as scaling production, workforce constraints and maintaining quality, while showcasing how digital technologies like digital twins, AI and connected manufacturing systems enable faster ramp-up, improved efficiency and more resilient operations across the battery value chain. Find more information here: Link |
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Our new eBook “Unveiling the secrets of batteries with image interpretation,” is out now! Inside, you’ll discover advancements that enhance the performance and quality of batteries, including 3D chemical maps of lithium in cathodes, capturing chemical and structural changes to lithium-rich cathode materials and subtle battery swelling measured with an image-based deformation study. Find out more about these techniques and more by downloading your copy of the eBook today.
Find more information here: Link
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 |
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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