PERMANET contributes to Critical Materials & Battery Value Chains Europe 2026

PERMANET will take part in Critical Materials & Battery Value Chains Europe 2026, a two-day European event bringing together research organisations, industry representatives and policy makers to address the strategic, technological and societal challenges shaping the upstream battery value chain in Europe. The event, co-organised by the Li4Life Horizon Europe project, ISMC and the European Lithium Institute, will take place on 18–19 May 2026 in Brussels.

Aligned with Horizon Europe priorities and the implementation of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), the event aims to support the EU’s RESourceEU Action Plan by fostering collaboration on responsible sourcing, sustainable processing and policy alignment for lithium and other critical raw materials.

PERMANET will contribute directly to the programme during the Expert Focus Groups on 18 May, where the project collaborates in Focus Group Policy & Framework Conditions. This session is organised in collaboration with PERMANET and will be co-chaired by David Sanjuan (ISMC) together with Dr. Xochitl Dominguez-Benetton (Equinor). The discussion will bring together leading experts to explore regulatory frameworks, research and innovation priorities and industrial deployment challenges across the upstream critical raw materials value chain.

The focus group aims to support the implementation of the RESourceEU Action Plan, helping to identify key research and innovation gaps, strengthen European collaboration and exchange views on upcoming Horizon Europe calls and joint proposal opportunities.

The second day of the event will host a high-level policy seminar at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels, addressing topics such as the Social Licence to Operate (SLO), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the lithium value chain, the European Battery Passport, and policy alignment under the Critical Raw Materials Act.

By engaging in initiatives such as Critical Materials & Battery Value Chains Europe 2026, PERMANET continues to support dialogue between research, industry and policy communities, contributing to the development of resilient, responsible and competitive critical raw materials value chains in Europe.