The BATMASS project took centre stage at the International Mining and Minerals Hall (MMH), one of the key events for the sector, held in Seville from the 15th to 17th of October 2024. This prestigious forum brings together the main players in the mining industry and scientific experts to discuss future challenges and technological advances in mineral raw materials.
In the framework of this edition, the BATMASS project (EU Circular BATtery Valley for Second Life, Recycling, and Re-manufacturing of Materials and Black MASS) has attracted attention for its innovative approach to the circular economy in the battery value chain. To this end, the project participated through a stand and presented its progress in a scientific poster, providing key details on its objectives and the sustainable technologies it is developing to optimise the reuse and recycling of materials in the battery sector.
BATMASS, aims to revolutionise the battery value chain in Europe by creating a cross-regional ecosystem based on circular innovations. Its focus is on the conversion of industrial by-products into materials suitable for battery manufacturing, fostering a circular economy.
The project, funded by the European Union under the Interregional Innovation Investment (I3) initiative, has as one of its main objectives the creation of the first interregional innovation investment valley -the so called Circular Battery Valley (CBV)- focused on batteries, leveraging regional capacities to drive the development of sustainable technologies and the commercialisation of innovative solutions.
Co-creation workshop: Circularity in the battery sector
During the event, CTA (Corporación Tecnológica de Andalucía) organised a co-creation workshop, entitled ‘How to implement circularity principles in the battery sector’, which brought together more than 25 professionals from across the battery value chain. This workshop was a key platform to gather input on the critical factors and actions needed to accelerate the development of the CBV. The workshop was opened by Marcello Colledani, project coordinator and professor at the Politecnico di Milano, who presented the projects and the motivations behind it. Key figures such as Rocío Palomino, from the Spanish Association of Battery and Energy Storage Companies (AEPIBAL), and Marisa Borra, from the Andalusian Energy Agency, also participated. A highlight of the workshop was the presentation of the concept of the CBV platform by Pierre Padilla from N-ABLE, partner and task leader for the Institutionalisation of the CBV. This was followed by a practical co-creation exercise led by CTA.
First Annual Circular Battery Valley Event
Another central event at the MMH was the first Circular Battery Valley Annual Event, a key event for the official presentation of the BATMASS initiative and its ambitious vision for the future of the European battery sector. During this event, held on the stage ‘Meeting point towards a sustainable future’, Marcello Colledani and Pierre Padilla were the speakers who detailed the objectives and benefits of the project for the transition towards a more sustainable and competitive industry in Europe.
About the BATMASS Project
The BATMASS project aims to revolutionise the battery value chain in Europe by creating a cross-regional ecosystem based on circular innovations. Its approach focuses on converting industrial by-products into materials suitable for battery manufacturing, fostering a circular economy. To achieve this goal, BATMASS is working with four pilot plants that are developing green technologies to scale up their application in the European market.
The project is also designing the first inter-regional innovation investment valley in Europe, with the aim of structuring an integrated network of regions dedicated to the research, development and commercialisation of sustainable solutions for the battery industry. This will contribute not only to improving European competitiveness, but also to strengthening the continent’s energy independence.
BATMASS started in September 2023 and will last for 36 months, with a budget of €13,950,034.04 and the I3 programme. It is also being developed by 15 European entities linked to the entire value chain of the battery industry, including technological research centres and prestigious universities such as POLIMI, belonging to 4 member countries of the Eurozone. The following entities participate in the BATMASS consortium:
- Politecnico di Milano | Italy – project coordinator
- Orano Mining | France
- Fundación Corporación Tecnológica de Andalucía – CTA | Spain
- Lomartov SL | Spain
- ERP Italia Servizi | Italy
- Kemijski Institut | Slovenia
- Nanofaber SRL | Italy
- Verkor | France
- Associazione Fabbrica Intelligente Lombardia- AFIL | Italy
- Università degli studi di Pavia | Italy
- Iberian Sustainable Mining Cluster – ISMC | Spain
- Envirobat España SL | Spain
- Association Team2 Pole de Competitivite | France
- Green vision | France
- N-able | France
Mining and Minerals Hall 2024: A Sustainable Future
The fifth edition of the Mining and Minerals Hall has established itself as an international benchmark, with more than 14,658 visitors over its three-day duration, 46.6% more than in 2022, according to Enrique Delgado, curator of MMH 2024, in an official press release from the fair. During these three days of the fair, the MMH held 60 presentations and round tables addressing topics such as energy transformation, digitalisation and sustainability. The Innovation Hub, one of the event’s most prominent spaces, presented the latest developments in the mining industry, highlighting the role of technological innovation in tackling the environmental and social challenges facing the sector.
With the slogan ‘MMH 2024: Meeting point towards a sustainable future’, this show reaffirmed its commitment to research and innovation as key pillars for a greener and more sustainable future in the mining industry.
