The 2024 U.S. Lithium Summit ended successfully! Unveil the development prospects of the global lithium industry and grasp the lifeblood of investment! 【SMM American Lithium Battery Summit】
On April 23rd ~ April 24th, the Li-ion Battery Americas 2024 conference organized by SMM was successfully concluded in Las Vegas, USA!
The conference focused on the development of the electric vehicle and lithium-ion battery industry in the United States, bringing together a group of international decision-makers, investors, manufacturers, industry raw material suppliers, parts suppliers and technical service providers and other well-known celebrities and industry professionals, focusing on the development of the US lithium battery market and the local industrial chain, the future development of advanced technology prospects, lithium battery life cycle and long-term sustainability and other topics launched a fierce collision of ideas.
In this meeting, Wang Cong, general manager of the new energy division of SMM Industry Research Institute, made an outlook on the development of the lithium-ion battery critical metal industry. She said that SMM expects that from 2024 to 2026, there will be a surplus of global lithium resources, and the surplus will shrink year by year. In terms of battery-grade lithium carbonate price trends, from 2023 to 2025, SMM expects that with the slowdown in the marginal growth rate of electric vehicle and energy storage market demand, coupled with the concentrated release of upstream lithium resource projects, the lithium market will turn from a mismatch between supply and demand in 2022 to a surplus, dragging lithium carbonate prices downward. Entering 2026, SMM expects that the future prosperity of the energy storage market may drive demand growth; In the context of long-term oversupply, resource expansion is also continuing to slow down, and the market surplus may be eased in the future.
国际锂业协会（ILiA）可持续发展与治理经理 Astrid Karamira对全球锂市场作出解读；Indonesian Nickel Miners Association (APNI)秘书长Meidy Katrin Lengkey对印尼的镍战略规划作出分享；
In addition, SMM also carefully prepared multiple rounds of panel discussions, inviting many well-known celebrities and corporate executives in the industry to launch a fierce collision of ideas on many hot topics such as energy storage technology development, lithium mining, battery recycling, and technological innovation!
Opening remarks
Li7Charged CEO Austin Devaney
SMM CEO范昕
Topic: Outlook of Critical Metals Industry for Lithium-ion Batteries
Speaker: Wang Cong, General Manager of the New Energy Division of SMM Industry Research Institute
Wang Cong, general manager of the new energy division of SMM Industry Research Institute, made an outlook on the development of the lithium-ion battery critical metal industry. She said that SMM expects that from 2024 to 2026, there will be a surplus of global lithium resources, and the surplus will shrink year by year. In terms of battery-grade lithium carbonate price trends, from 2023 to 2025, SMM expects that with the slowdown in the marginal growth rate of electric vehicle and energy storage market demand, coupled with the concentrated release of upstream lithium resource projects, the lithium market will turn from a mismatch between supply and demand in 2022 to a surplus, dragging lithium carbonate prices downward. Entering 2026, SMM expects that the future prosperity of the energy storage market may drive demand growth; In the context of long-term oversupply, resource expansion is also continuing to slow down, and the market surplus may be eased in the future.
The new energy market maintained growth, but the growth rate gradually slowed down
According to SMM's review and outlook of global energy vehicle sales from 2019 to 2027, from 2019 to 2022, the compound annual growth rate of global new energy vehicle sales will be about 70%; From 2022 to 2025, the value may reach about 22%; From 2025 to 2027, SMM expects the global new energy vehicle market to continue to grow, but the compound annual growth rate may drop to about 9%.
When it comes to the key growth points of new energy vehicles in various countries, in China, the main reason is that the subsidy policy has promoted the rapid increase in the penetration rate of new energy vehicles, and there is little room for further improvement of orders; The increase in the penetration rate of new energy vehicles in North America is mainly driven by the IRA policy, and it is expected that there is still a lot of room for expansion in the future; In Europe, it is mainly driven by the ban on the sale of gasoline vehicles and the energy transition.
In terms of energy storage demand, SMM understands that from 2019 to 2021, the compound annual growth rate of global energy storage demand will remain at about 49%, from 2021 to 2024, it is expected that the global energy storage demand will still maintain a growth rate of 49%, and from 2024 to 2027, SMM expects the compound annual growth rate of global energy storage demand to remain at about 29%, although the growth rate is slowing down, but it still maintains a year-on-year growth trend.
》SMM: In the next few years, the oversupply of lithium will gradually narrow The recycling of lithium iron phosphate batteries will surge
Panel 1: The challenge of uniting all stakeholders along the EV supply chain
Topics to be discussed:
Current challenges faced by stakeholders in the EV supply chain
The regulatory environment impacting the EV supply chain
How innovative partnerships can advance EV technologies and components
Collective goals and visions for the future of the EV supply chain
Presenter :
E-Parthenon合作伙伴 Srihari Mulgund
Guests:
Baltimore Aircoil Company电动汽车电池业务发展全球总监 Bill Williams
Rivian公共政策高级总监 Chris Nevers
Circulor销售副总裁 Fearghal Kearney
Porsche Consulting合伙人 Frank McCleary
The panel discussion was on the Electric Vehicle Supply Chain (EVSC). Panelists discussed a variety of topics, including:
Highlights of the discussion include:
North America's demand for battery electric vehicles, balancing consumer demand with regulatory components; the importance of transparency and sustainability in the supply chain; The role that regulations play in shaping the future of the EV market requires clearer language and global standards; potential tensions between ensuring the security of domestic supply chains and the necessary cooperation with global partners such as China; The Inflation Reduction Act and its impact on building new capabilities in the United States and Europe.
At the end of the panel, the audience asked questions such as the recycled content in lithium-ion batteries, anti-China policies in some states, and how OEMs are increasingly ensuring security of supply and investing in advanced materials and technologies.
Panel 2: Planning the path to growth in the North American battery industry through 2030
Presenter :
Battery Associates创始人兼主席Dr. Simon Engelke
Guests:
IM3ni & C4V创始人兼董事长Shailesh Upreti
Our Next Energy (ONE)供应链副总裁 Nitin Tyagi
SGS冶金与咨询全球副总裁 David Anonychuk
SMM业务发展总监 Phoebe Yang
The panel discussion covered all aspects of the battery supply chain, with a particular focus on the United States. Key points from the speakers include:
1. The current state of the U.S. battery industry: The U.S. battery market is growing rapidly, and many start-up battery companies have emerged. The government strongly supports businesses to get investment quickly.
2. Capital markets and investment: Financing remains a challenge, especially for junior mining companies, to scale up production in line with market demand. Government mechanisms are essential to help fill the gap in these companies.
3. Recycling and sustainability: China's battery recycling industry has matured, and high-quality recycling of materials such as NCM and LFP is becoming increasingly important. The focus is on learning and improving the recycling process to ensure high purity and reintegration into the supply chain.
Throughout the discussions, there were calls for continued learning, sharing of experiences, policy stability, partnerships across the value chain, and international cooperation to promote the growth and stability of the North American battery industry.
Guest speeches on April 23
Topic: Lithium Valley: Southern California's New Gold Rush
发言嘉宾：The County of Imperial加利福尼亚州帝国县主管Ryan E.Kelley
Jesus E. Escobar
Conventional lithium mining
Traditionally, lithium has been mined primarily through hard rock mining and evaporation ponds, both of which have catastrophic environmental impacts. In Lithium Valley, there is no mining activity.
Recovery of lithium from geothermal brine
The advantage of recovering lithium from geothermal brine is that it is a clean and sustainable solution that is produced in harmony with agriculture. It has a small physical footprint, no mining and evaporation ponds, and does not cause significant damage to the environment.
According to statistics, the brine content in Imperial County, California, USA, is 17 million metric tons of lithium.
Key Industries Development:
Lithium Valley is ideal for many businesses, including batteries, materials processing, automotive manufacturing, renewable energy, community spaces, battery storage, logistics, business services, and more.
》Compared with traditional lithium mining, lithium extraction from geothermal brine is mainly "green and sustainable"
Panel Discussion: Energy Storage Technologies – Cost Trend Analysis and Efficiency Improvements
Topics to be discussed:
The role of energy storage in optimizing grid stability, integrating renewable energy, and improving the overall efficiency of the energy system
Factors related to raw materials, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance that affect cost reduction
Innovations in grid storage technology
How energy storage can be integrated with smart grids and improve overall system efficiency
Presenter :
SMM 新能源咨询主管 Vincent Yan
Guests:
LG Energy Solution Vertech Inc 销售与营销副总裁 Peter Gibson
Power 董事长 Joy Bellows
Spearmint Energy项目技术高级副总裁 Chris Wright
Fluence Energy供应链运营副总裁 Gildas Dupouy
The panel discussion on energy storage technologies focused on analyzing cost trends and efficiency gains associated with various forms of energy storage. Panelists discussed how technological advancements can significantly reduce the cost of energy storage systems, making them more accessible and affordable in residential and commercial applications. They also highlighted the importance of improving the efficiency of energy storage systems to maximize their effectiveness and sustainability.
Overall, the panel discussion provided valuable insights into the rapid development of energy storage technology and its potential to revolutionize the way we produce and consume energy in the future.
Topic: Driving Sustainable Development: A Low-Carbon Battery Value Chain Strategy
发言嘉宾：Minviro创始人兼首席执行官Dr. Robert Pell
LCA battery life cycle carbon emissions
Material producers will need data across the value chain, such as LCA (Battery Life Cycle Carbon Emissions)
1. All batteries will have a clearly visible QR code that provides all the key information: composition, capacity, results for key indicators, durability;
2. All batteries over 2 kWh will have a digital passport that will inform the technical details, the percentage of recycled materials used and the associated carbon footprint;
3. Depending on their nature, a minimum percentage of recycled material is set for all batteries: 16% cobalt, 6% lithium, 6% nickel and 85% lead.
4. Each model of battery must calculate its carbon footprint for its entire life cycle.
5. A "Due Diligence Policy" has been developed to reduce the social and environmental risks that may occur in the procurement, processing and marketing of battery materials.
》Minviro: It is expected that the global demand for battery raw materials such as nickel, cobalt and lithium will increase by 15-20 times from 2020 to 2050
Speech topic: Asking for battery technology to help the sustainable development of green lithium battery industry
发言嘉宾：REPT BATTERO Energy Co., Ltd. 美国分公司总经理 Jason Hong
Panel Discussion: Accelerating Battery Integration in the Renewable Energy Sector
Presenter :
Rho Motion咨询主管Edward Keith
Guests:
LG Energy Solution总监Kevin Fok
Ihi Terrasun Solutions
By Power董事长Joy Bellows
Prevalon Energy LLC (Prevalon)销售副总裁Chad Spring
The panel discussion, titled "Accelerating Battery Integration in the Renewable Energy Sector," brought together industry leaders to delve into key developments and challenges in shaping battery integration in renewable energy systems.
Participants highlighted the boom in battery integration across multiple faces, from battery technology to integrated energy storage systems, and the discussion revealed the lag of European and US standards and regulations that need to be updated to accommodate new products and technologies. Participants highlighted strategies to reduce costs by increasing energy density and scalability, in line with the overall goal of full electrification.
Finally, the panel advocated for unwavering support for energy storage systems and distributed generation technologies as helping to advance the electrification agenda and shape the future energy landscape.
On April 24, the raw material end roadshow
Topic: Indian Nickel Strategy
发言嘉宾：Indonesian Nickel Miners Association (APNI)秘书长Meidy Katrin Lengkey
Topic: Interpreting the global lithium market
Speaker: Astrid Karamira, Sustainability & Governance Manager, International Lithium Association (ILiA).
Astrid Karamira, Sustainability & Governance Manager at the International Lithium Association, explains the global lithium market. She said the lithium industry is growing rapidly and will continue to do so for many years. Multi-stakeholder groups and shared projects are essential to manage and mitigate risk in an efficient and cost-effective manner. ILiA is the representative global voice for the entire lithium value chain.
》International Lithium Association: The lithium industry will maintain a rapid growth trend in the next few years
Panel discussion: Uncovering the demand drivers and supply challenges of battery raw materials
Presenter :
SGS冶金与咨询全球副总裁David Anonychuk
Guests:
Zhou Zhicheng, senior analyst of SMM lithium products
The Metals Company北美业务发展与市场研究总监Kristin Hengstebeck
Arkema NA电池销售和市场经理Mickael Havel
American Battery Technology Company企业发展与战略总监Tony DiCenso
Arcadium Lithium业务发展和市场情报总监Ashish Patki
The panelists shared their views on topics such as government policies and regulations, collaboration opportunities, future outlook and risk management, and supply chain vulnerabilities.
Panel discussion: Sustainable Lithium Mining Practices and Environmental Footprint
Presenter :
锂和关键矿产顾问Carolina Ferreira Herrera
Guests:
Astrid Karamira, Sustainability & Governance Manager, International Lithium Association (ILiA).
NEO Capital创始人Anthony Tse
A1 Lithium董事长Bruce Richardson
Minviro 创始人兼首席执行官Dr. Robert Pell
The panelists had a lively exchange of ideas on topics such as the importance of sustainable lithium mining, environmental impact assessment, community engagement, and social responsibility, regulatory frameworks and compliance.
Main forum
Topic: Lithium-ion battery recycling - the way to be agile
发言嘉宾：Zhejiang RoyalSeal Energy Technology Co., Ltd.合作伙伴/全球采购执行副总裁 Sunny Shi
Sunny Shi, executive vice president of partner/global procurement at Zhejiang Royal Seal Energy Technology Co., Ltd., expects end-of-life EV batteries to run at full capacity in the future, saying that according to the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), battery electric vehicles are expected to account for 20% of global light vehicle sales by 2025, and this figure is expected to rise significantly to 59% by 2035.
Battery production
In 2022, EV battery manufacturers will accelerate the expansion of production capacity (about 600-700GWh).
According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the lithium battery industry will continue to grow in the first half of 2023, with an output of more than 400GWh, an increase of more than 43%, and a revenue of 600 billion yuan. Lithium battery exports increased by 69% year-on-year.
The development of lithium batteries has led to the rapid expansion of the recycling industry
End-of-life EV batteries are expected to run at full capacity in the future.
Booming prospects: The rapid growth of the lithium battery recycling industry
In 2022, EV sales accounted for 10-13% of all new car sales worldwide.
In 2023, global sales of electric vehicles (EVs), including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), showed strong growth.
According to the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), battery electric vehicles are expected to account for 20% of global light vehicle sales by 2025, and this figure is expected to rise significantly to 59% by 2035.
》Pure electric vehicles may account for 20% of global light vehicle sales in 2025 In the future, end-of-life electric vehicle batteries will run at full capacity
Panel discussion: Circular economy strategies for battery recycling and reuse
Presenter :
SMM副顾问总监Evelyn Chen
Guests:
American Battery Technology Company首席执行官兼首席技术官Ryan Melsert
SK Ecoplant美国回收业务总监Sangjune Han
Botree Recycling Technologies副总裁Bill Wu
During the panel discussion, the panelists discussed topics such as the recycling market, the comparison between raw materials and recycled materials, the impact of recycling, and the differences between different types of recycling processes.
Ryan stresses the importance of having clear safety regulations in place for different types of recycling processes. Referring to topics such as the recycling market in the United States, the comparison between raw materials and recycled materials, the impact of recycling, and the differences between different types of recycling processes, Sang Joan Han believes that it will be a challenge to bring together the various players in the supply chain in the future.
Ryan highlighted the importance of establishing clear safety regulations for different types of recycling processes, and how technology can be used to increase recycling rates in the future, such as copper and aluminum, is a very challenging thing to do. Sanchon mentioned plans to build a second base in the U.S. and discussed how to raise the price of recycled materials. Bill highlighted plans to establish a second manufacturing site in China and discussed how to define the criteria for percentage materials.
Panel discussion: Key challenges to the safety performance of lithium-ion batteries
Presenter :
Exponent首席工程师Keith Beers
Speakers:
Tekscan产品管理总监Camilo Aladro
Spearmint Energy项目技术高级副总裁Chris Wright
The panel focused on issues such as pressure management, the application of solid electrolytes, and battery safety in battery technology. Camilo Aladro and Christ Wright discuss the impact of stress on the performance of various types of batteries and how battery performance can be optimized by improving design and manufacturing processes. They also discussed the use of pressure sensors in battery safety and how battery failure can be prevented through early detection and preventive measures.
At the same time, issues in battery sales were also mentioned, including how to promote new battery technology in the market and how to solve battery-related safety issues. He also talked about the electronics industry's concerns about new battery technologies and how they can be taken into account during the design process.
Christ Wright talked about the safety model of the battery system, including the operator panel and the pressure panel. They discussed how to prevent the spread of fires and reduce insurance costs through reasonable layout and spacing.
Camilo Aladro stresses the importance of pressure management in the manufacturing process, especially in the molding process. They discussed how advanced technology can be used to monitor and verify the uniformity of the pressure distribution to ensure the performance and safety of the battery.
Topic: Jereh Lithium Battery Recycling Integrated Solution
Speaker: Martin Cong, Chief Technology Officer, Jereh Environmental Technology Co., Ltd
Market size
Currently, lithium-ion battery recycling capacity is mainly concentrated in Europe, China, Japan and South Korea, with plans to further expand. As the scale of electric vehicles in these regions continues to grow, it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20%.
According to ACS data in the United States, by the end of 2031, the European lithium battery recycling market may reach a scale of 3 billion US dollars.
Market growth
From an environmental point of view, lithium batteries contain toxic and harmful substances, and once leaked, they will cause serious pollution. The heavy metals and compounds contained in it are harmful to soil, water and the atmosphere. And metals have an accumulation effect, which accumulates in the human body through the food chain.
From an economic point of view, used lithium-ion batteries contain valuable metal elements with a higher metal content than some natural ores. In contrast, extracting metals from ores requires high costs and energy consumption, and recycling metals from waste batteries can reduce costs and generate economic benefits.
Policy aspects
According to EU regulations, by July 2024, the technical documentation accompanying electric vehicle batteries should include a carbon footprint statement drafted in accordance with the delegated act. By 2025, the recovery rate of cobalt, nickel and copper in batteries should reach 90%, and the level of lithium recovery should reach 35%.
》By the end of 2031, the European lithium battery recycling market may reach $3 billion
Panel Discussion: Technological Advances in Lithium Battery Raw Materials
Presenter :
SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd.业务发展总监Phoebe Yang
Speakers:
Elemental Advanced Materials CEO David Hudson
LeydenJar Technology首席商务官Evan Sanders
McKinsey头部电池材料 Vale Chain/Sr. Expert-AP Ken Hoffman
AquaLith Advanced Materials, Inc.联合创始人兼首席商业化官Abdellah Cherkaoui
The conversation featured five speakers who discussed the various language technologies and the importance of having partner support when entering the U.S. market. They also emphasized the importance of building relationships with potential customers and suppliers. Evan Sanders, COO of LeydenJar Technology, stressed the importance of signing a partnership agreement when launching a new product to ensure a smoother path to financing and a clearer return on investment. The discussion also touched on the importance of the Chinese government in upstream investments to reduce costs and ensure supply chain security.
Phoebe Yang, the moderator from SMM, questioned the acceptance and sales methods of new materials in the market. Evan Sanders, COO of LeydenJar Technology, responded that the path to adopting new technology is not simple and is fraught with gaps that need to be bridged. Ken Hoffman, Vale Chain Battery Materials Lead/Senior Specialist AP discusses battery manufacturing costs, investment needs, and how to reduce manufacturing costs through the use of commercial silicon microparticles. They also discussed the issue of attracting investors and partners, as well as building a reputation in the market. Finally, Phoebe Yang summarized their view that the market demand for new materials will increase as technology development and cost reduction.
Panel Discussion: The Role of IRAs in the Global Battery Industry
Presenter :
Rho Motion咨询主管Edward Keith
Guests:
NEWMARK全球战略副主席Robert J.Hess
Barclays总经理Jeff Mathews
Piedmont Lithium Inc.首席商务官兼销售与营销副总裁Austin Devaney
NEO Capital创始人Anthony Tse
Moderated by Edward Keith, Director of Rho Motion Consulting, the discussion focused on the role of IRAs in developing the North American market.
Austin Devaney, CEO and Vice President of Piedmont Lithium S.p.A., stressed that the supply chain is a long process, with long cycles from discovery, exploration, development to production. He also noted that access to the Nigerian supply chain may require regionalization of components, including those in batteries, the materials used to make them, and the raw materials and chemicals used to make them.
Anthony Tse, founder of NEO Capital, discusses the evolution of the banking industry and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on suppliers' globalization strategies. He also mentioned the need for sparks for upstream activities and how many companies are using the $30,000 credit from the Inflation Reduction Act to expedite facility siting and development.
Robert J. HESS, vice chair of NEWMARK, emphasized the importance of community and said that IRA applications and ways to process IRAs within the community need to be found. Attendees also shared their experiences and insights on battery activity and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Panel Discussion: Innovative Frontier Technologies to Improve the Energy Density of Lithium Batteries
Presenter :
Battery Associates创始人兼主席Dr. Simon Engelke
Guests:
Amprius Technologies业务发展副总裁Ronnie Tao
Sila Nanotechnologies战略总监Ernst van Nierop
EnergyX电池技术副总裁Nicholas Grundish
Wang Cong, General Manager of the New Energy Division of SMM Industry Research Institute
Shirley Wang, head of new energy research, highlighted two ways to increase strength: increase nickel content or improve the production process. She also mentioned the performance and safety of the battery, saying that if density, safety and cost-effectiveness were the focus, then the performance of the six series would be better. However, if power and sensitivity are more important, a miniature battery will be key.
Ronnie Tao, vice president of Amprius Technologies, expressed gratitude for the insights, noting that silicon is already widely used in the market, replacing 85% of graphite. He mentioned that silicon can partially replace graphite, which is good news. He also spoke about the progress of cooperation with Mercedes and other automakers.
Ronnie also mentioned his views on cost and security. He argues that a thicker cathode may not result in an optimal percentage increase in volumetric energy density when considering energy density.
Ernst van Nirerop, director of nanotechnology at Sila, said his company has been working on the commercial application of this technology. Their team has developed a silicon-based cell structure that can control small carrier systems. They also conduct various tests to ensure the safe performance of the battery.
至此，Li-ion Battery Americas 2024 圆满落幕！
Thank you for your support from all walks of life, and we'll see you next time!