September 20, 2025: European and Japanese battery organizations have agreed to step up cooperation in the lithium battery sector including recycling and tackling processing issues in dealing with black mass.

The European Battery Alliance confirmed on September 15 it had signed a memorandum of understanding with RECHARGE, the European trade association for advanced batteries, and Japan’s Battery Association for Supply Chain to boost battery supply chain resilience.

Stéphane Séjourné, European Commission EVP for prosperity and industrial strategy, said the agreement reinforced EU-Japan industrial ties and firmed up business cases for further cooperation.

“From closer collaboration on skills training to new joint work on black mass recycling, this industry-led MoU opens new growth opportunities for both European and Japanese companies.”

EBA managing director Emma Nehrenheim said all involved were committed to strengthening battery value chains, from raw materials and gigafactories to recycling infrastructure.
Batteries International reported earlier in September that battery bosses were warning EU leaders the sector was facing a ‘moment of truth’.

In an open letter to the European Commission, the CEOs of the Automotive Cells Company, battery maker Verkor, and Volkswagen’s PowerCo battery tech firm called for immediate, targeted measures to support a rapid ramping up of battery production across the continent.