Korea-US-EU-Japan Battery Association Unites... Launch of the 'World Battery Forum'

Joint Discussions on US IRA, EU Carbon Footprint,
Used Batteries, and PFAS

Researchers at LG Energy Solution Daejeon Research Center are discussing batteries. Photo by LG Energy Solution

The battery associations of the major countries leading the global battery industry?Korea, the United States, Europe, and Japan?are launching a forum to respond to their respective governments' policies.

On the 4th, the Korea Battery Industry Association announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the battery associations of Korea, the United States, the European Union (EU), and Japan at the Grand InterContinental Parnas Hotel in Seoul to establish the "World Battery Forum (WBF)" and held the first forum for the first time as the host organization.

WBF is an organization representing the global battery industry, established to accelerate the world's net-zero (carbon neutrality) and energy transition, create an eco-friendly energy policy environment, study global battery regulations, and make joint efforts to ensure fair and free trade and investment as well as a stable global battery supply chain.

The forum will be held annually, rotating among Korea, the US, the EU, and Japan. WBF was agreed to be launched at the previous WRBRF (World Rechargeable Battery Regulatory Forum), where Korea was the first chair country to host the inaugural WBF meeting. WRBRF was a forum (the predecessor of WBF) where associations and member companies from Korea, the US, the EU, and Japan gathered to discuss topics limited to global battery regulations and standardization.

On the first day of the forum, the 4th, the following events took place: ▲ Signing of the WBF MOU ▲ Holding of the WBF regular meeting. Through the WBF MOU, the host associations agreed to exchange opinions on global battery issues, share information for their member companies, and cooperate jointly to achieve WBF goals, aiming for WBF to have a positive impact on the global battery industry in the future.

The WBF regular meeting is a gathering of five battery associations from Korea, the US, the EU, and Japan to discuss global battery industry issues. Topics include ▲ the current status and outlook of the global battery market, ▲ exchange of opinions on major countries' battery regulations and policies, and ▲ discussion of joint response measures for a sustainable and stable supply chain.

On the second day, the 5th, the WBF conference was held under the slogan "Leading the Global Battery Industry and Charging the World with Energy," featuring discussions on ▲ the impact of the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on the global industry, ▲ the EU carbon footprint calculation method and each country's response measures, ▲ efforts to revitalize the used battery industry, and ▲ PFAS and hazardous substances.

The WBF conference was attended by the five associations from Korea, the US, the EU, and Japan, as well as global battery companies, demand companies, and experts from materials, parts, and equipment companies such as LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, SK On, Panasonic, Stellantis, Microsoft, VARTA, TDK Corporation, and Air Gas, an Air Liquide company.

In the US IRA-related session, Marc Boolish, Secretary General of PRBA (US Battery Industry Association), presented on the impact of the IRA and its detailed guidance on the global battery industry. Panelists are expected to share each country's response status and opinions on implementation.

Regarding the EU carbon footprint, Claude Chanson, Secretary General of RECHARGE (European Battery Industry Association), introduced the EU Battery Regulation and the EU carbon footprint calculation method. Panelists will provide opinions on each country's stance and preparations regarding the carbon footprint calculation method.

In the used battery session, Masaya Hanzawa, Group Leader of BASC (Japan Battery Supply Chain Association), proposed the need for international standards related to black mass to promote the growth and revitalization of the used battery market. Panelists will share the current status and outlook of the used battery market in each country and efforts to revitalize the market.

Park Tae-sung, Executive Vice President of the Korea Battery Industry Association, stated, "The launch of WBF is significant in that it laid the foundation for information exchange and discussions that can strengthen joint cooperation among Korea, the US, Europe, and Japan on global battery issues." He added, "We hope that WBF will serve as a platform where the global battery industry can collaborate on policies, regulations, and standardization related to batteries worldwide."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.