November Newsletter 2025
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Dear battery enthusiast,
Welcome to Battery Associates’ November 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.
15(12.9%)
On October 14, 2025, POSCO Future M announced a ₩671 billion (approximately $470 million) contract to supply natural graphite anode materials to a global automaker for four years starting in 2027. This is the company’s largest anode-material contract since entering the sector in 2011. The automaker has not been officially disclosed, and the contract includes an option to extend the supply period for up to 10 years.
B.A Commentary: This contract strengthens POSCO Future M, a global upstream supplier of battery materials focusing on natural graphite anodes and cathodes, as a key supplier. Industry sources indicate that the natural graphite buyer may be a major American automaker. The four-year contract, extendable to approximately $1.175 billion over 10 years, provides stable demand and supports capacity expansion. Graphite from Chinese anode remains around 40-50% cheaper, approximately $2.3 per kg versus POSCO Future M’s $3.8 to $4.6 per kg. However, U.S. IRA battery material sourcing requirements, which are expected to make EVs using Chinese-sourced graphite ineligible for subsidies from 2027, are prompting automakers to diversify sourcing and secure compliant suppliers.
On October 23, 2025, Redwood Materials closed a $350 million Series E funding round led by Eclipse Ventures, with participation from NVentures, Nvidia's venture arm. The capital will be used to expand the company’s battery materials refining, cathode production, and grid-scale energy storage.
B.A Commentary: This increases U.S. supply capability, may reduce reliance on imports, and improves the traceability of critical material flows. Under the IRA, OEM procurement requirements are shifting toward domestic, transparent supply chains, increasing demand for U.S.-based battery materials production.
On September 29, 2025, Imerys Graphite & Carbon Switzerland and Shanghai Shanshan New Material announced a strategic partnership to produce high-performance synthetic graphite anode materials in Europe. The deal pairs Shanshan’s anode production technology with Imerys’s European graphite resources. Commercial-scale production is targeted for Q4 2025 to supply EV and energy-storage battery manufacturers.
B.A Commentary: By creating a European-based synthetic-graphite supply line, this partnership strengthens regional battery supply-chain resilience and reduces reliance on imports amid surging EV demand. Combining Shanshan’s advanced anode technology with Imerys’s local resources enhances competitive positioning on cost, quality, and delivery. Beyond operational advantages, the initiative signals a decisive move toward localised, sustainable, and strategically secure battery manufacturing ecosystems in Europe. |
On October 2, 2025, Enchem, a South Korean battery materials firm, cancelled its planned $143 million investment to build a production plant in the United States. The project, aimed at supplying battery electrolytes, will no longer proceed, reflecting a strategic recalibration amid rising global EV demand and increasing supply-chain and geopolitical uncertainties.
B.A Commentary: Enchem’s withdrawal indicates growing caution in global battery-material investments and the importance of flexible, regional supply strategies. Reducing exposure in the US mitigates risks from demand volatility, trade pressures, and logistical complexities. The decision also reflects broader market dynamics, with regional production increasingly favoured and signalling a shift toward cost-conscious, risk-managed growth in the rapidly evolving battery materials sector. |
On September 29, 2025, Cornish Lithium announced it had raised £35 million in equity funding, including £31 million from the National Wealth Fund (NWF) and £4 million from TechMet, to advance its two flagship projects in Cornwall. The funds will support the Trelavour Lithium Project toward a construction decision and commercial drilling at the Cross Lanes Geothermal Lithium Project. The company also plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign to enable broader investor participation.
B.A Commentary: This funding gives Cornish Lithium the resources to advance its UK-based lithium projects and continue demonstrating low-carbon lithium extraction technologies. These developments support the company’s efforts to advance domestic lithium production in the UK, which, if projects proceed as planned, may contribute to a locally sourced battery-material supply chain. |
Company Member News |
Thermo Fisher Scientific X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) reveals elemental composition, chemical states, and bonding environments and in battery applications is invaluable for tracking electrode chemistry, studying surface degradation and monitoring electrolyte breakdown. Our new eBook, “Uncovering Surface Insights with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy” shares workflows for analysing battery materials, and showcases applications where XPS is helping accelerate battery innovation. Download it here. |
Industries Excellence
Siemens Battery Tech Talk: Next-Gen Battery Manufacturing: The IndX and Siemens Battery Tech Talk series highlights how digital MES, simulation and AI tools cut scrap and close the capacity gap for smarter battery gigafactories.
Ingun
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.
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’ Events & Updates |
Spotlight on Recent Events In November, Battery Associates joined three major conferences: Batteries Event (Lyon), Li-ion Battery Europe 2025 (Barcelona), and the Future Battery Forum (Berlin). Dr. Simon Engelke contributed across all three gatherings—moderating a panel in Barcelona on “Advancements in Next-Generation Batteries for EV Applications,” opening the Future Battery Forum in Berlin with a discussion on “The global charge: Powering battery market strategies for a sustainable future,” and speaking in Lyon on “Navigating Battery Industry Risks.” Alongside these engagements, Battery Associates connected with industry leaders, met alumni, and reinforced BA’s role in advancing battery innovation. Reflections from these events can be found in recent posts by Barath Venkatesan and Battery Associates. See below for selected images showcasing our participation at these events.  |
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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