Critical Materials & Battery Value Chains Europe 2026 - Expert Focus Group
Expert Focus Groups & Policy Seminar
Critical Materials & Battery Value Chains Europe 2026 is a two-day European event bringing together research, industry and policy actors to address the strategic, technological and societal challenges shaping the upstream battery value chain in Europe.
Aligned with Horizon Europe priorities and the implementation of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), and supporting the EU’s RESourceEU Action Plan to secure and diversify supply, strengthen resilience and accelerate deployment of critical raw materials value chains, the event will focus on accelerating responsible sourcing, sustainable processing and policy coherence for lithium and related critical raw materials.
18 May 2026 (afternoon) – Expert Focus Groups (Invitation-only)
The first day will be dedicated to in-depth, structured expert discussions on four key domains that strongly influence research and innovation (R&I), regulatory implementation and industrial deployment in the European upstream battery ecosystem.
The format will prioritise small-group exchanges, cross-working-group interaction and systems thinking, addressing impacts on society, the environment and business.
Focus Group A – Processing & Recycling
- Chair: Prof. Dr. Alexandre Chagnes (University of Lorraine).
- Co-Chair: Prof. Marcello Colledani (Polytechnic of Milan).
Focus Group B – Exploration & Mining
- Chair: Prof. Dr. Juan María Menéndez Aguado (University of Oviedo)
- Co-Chair: Juha Kaija (GTK)
Focus Group C – Sustainability, LCA & Battery Passport.
- Chairs: Prof. Dr. Guido Sonnemann (University of Bordeaux), Prof. Dr. Morgan Storm Scoville-S. (University of Agder).
- Co-Chair: Dr. Shahin Jamali (BASE project)
Focus Group D – Policy & Framework Conditions
- Chair: Dr. Xochitl Dominguez-Benetton (Equinor).
- Co-Chair: Mr. David Sanjuan (ISMC).
This focus group session will bring together leading experts to support the implementation of the EU’s RESourceEU Action Plan, contributing to efforts to secure and diversify the supply of critical raw materials across Europe. Through structured exchange, participants will identify key research and innovation gaps along the upstream CRM value chain, strengthen European collaboration through targeted networking, and exchange views on upcoming Horizon Europe calls and joint proposal opportunities.
May 18 - Program in Detail
|
Start |
End |
Activity |
|---|---|---|
|
11:30 |
12:00 |
Registration |
|
12:00 |
13:00 |
Networking Lunch |
|
13:00 |
13:30 |
Welcome words & directions (Iberiamine, eLi) |
|
13:30 |
15:00 |
Individual Working Groups exchange Lead by: chair and co-chair persons - small groups • Group members share their main interests, objectives and challenges • Concrete suggestions for a networking grant proposal (Li value chain). |
|
15:00 |
15:30 |
Coffee Break |
|
15:30 |
17:00 |
Cross-Working Groups exchange Facilitated by Iberiamine and eLi - big group / small groups Presentation of key findings on individual working groups to the assembly Exchange on coming Horizon Europe calls (optional) |
|
17:00 |
17:30 |
Main conlcusions & closing |
17:30 | 18:00 | Networking drink |