BCC-NL Highlights 2025 by Explose

Powering the Future 2025 Highlights

A YEAR OF STRATEGIC FOUNDATIONS FOR DUTCH BATTERY LEADERSHIP

Introduction

Europe stands at a turning point. The energy transition, geopolitical developments and pressure on industrial competitiveness converge in one central question: how do we remain economically strong while becoming less vulnerable in a world of interdependence? Batteries are a key part of the answer — not as an isolated technology, but as the backbone of electrification across mobility, industry and the energy system.

The transition away from fossil fuels is necessary and irreversible. Yet as old dependencies fade, new ones emerge, particularly around critical raw materials and global value chains. For Europe and for the Nether lands, the challenge is therefore not full self‑sufficien cy, but resilience. This requires innovation, European production capacity and a deliberate diversification of international partnerships and collaborations.

For the Netherlands, this debate is tangible and urgent. We are a relatively small country, but a recognised innovation leader, thanks to a strong ecosystem of companies, knowledge institutions and public author ities that work together effectively. At the same time, we must be realistic: we will not compete on industrial scale alone. Our strength lies in organising smartly, acting quickly and working together with focus.

In 2025, the energy surrounding battery development in the Netherlands became clearly visible. Across the country, initiatives emerged along the full value chain — from materials and production to systems, applica tions and recycling. Although the sector is still young, it is rapidly maturing into a strategic growth market that will shape not only the energy transition, but also future economic activity and employment.

This momentum is reflected internationally. Through company visits, international events and delegation missions across Europe and beyond, it became clear how fast the global battery landscape is evolving. Equally important is what happens within these inter actions: Dutch organisations connect more closely, strengthen one another and position themselves within European and global value chains. It is this combina tion of internal cohesion and external engagement that creates lasting impact.

Growth, however, does not emerge automatically. In a fast‑moving ecosystem with many parallel initiatives, fragmentation is a real risk. Progress requires focus, coordination and the ability to translate shared ambi tion into concrete action.

That awareness grew strongly in 2025. Across industry, research, government and international partners, a col lective movement is taking shape. Within this context, the Battery Competence Cluster is not just an organi sation, but a shared platform — connecting, directing, enabling and positioning the Dutch battery ecosystem.

This year was about laying the groundwork. The com ing years will be about acceleration and scale.

This yearbook shows how that foundation was built and sets the stage for the impact that lies ahead.

Mustafa Amhaouch Director Battery Competence Cluster - NL

Building the bridges that make the Dutch battery ecosystem stronger

A competitive battery ecosystem can only grow when people, organisations and ideas connect. BCC‑NL creates the spaces, programmes and networks where this happens across industry, research, government and society. We bring together partners who would not naturally meet, strengthen collaboration across the battery value chain, and ensure that knowledge, challenges and opportunities are shared openly and constructively.

In 2025, this connecting role became more visible than ever. Through events, strategic sessions and cross‑sec tor meetings, BCC‑NL created the momentum and trust that allow the Dutch battery ecosystem to collaborate with confidence.

BATTERY DAY 2025:

Strengthening the National Battery Community

A major highlight was Battery Day 2025, where hun dreds of stakeholders gathered for a full‑day pro gramme focused on the future of the Dutch battery ecosystem. Researchers, start‑ups, industrial partners, policy‑makers and regional leaders met to exchange insights, showcase innovations and explore new collab orations. The event highlighted:

Battery Day has become the annual moment where the Dutch ecosystem meets, connects and aligns — and BCC‑NL plays a central role in shaping that community.

• the growing maturity of the Dutch battery landscape,

• the increasing number of companies active across the chain,

• the strong presence of talent and new research,

• and the shared drive to build a competitive national industry.

CONNECTING RESEARCH AND NATIONAL STRATEGY:

NWO & NGF Battery Programme Meeting

Another key milestone was the joint session with NWO and the National Growth Fund Battery Programme. This meeting strengthened the connection between fundamental research, applied innovation and national programme execution. BCC‑NL contributed by bringing together programme leads, research institutions, min istries, regional partners and industry representatives.

This session exemplifies how BCC‑NL ensures that science, policy and industry remain con nected on content, timelines and long‑term vision.

The result:

• improved alignment of project pipelines,

• clearer visibility of upcoming research priorities,

• stronger cohesion between scientific excellence and industrial needs,

• and a shared understanding of how Dutch strengths contribute to European ambitions.

CONNECTING ENERGY STORAGE COMMUNITIES:

Spotlight on Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES)

In 2025, BCC NL also actively contributed to the na tional conversation on Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) — a crucial yet often overlooked component of a reliable and flexible energy system.

During a well attended event organised with Energy Storage NL, experts, companies, policymakers and innovators came together to explore the role of LDES technologies in enabling large scale flexibility. Themes included the strategic importance of long duration storage for system stability, the technological options currently emerging, and the pathways for industrial rollout in the Netherlands.

The session brought together stakeholders from both the short cycle and long cycle storage communities — reinforcing the bridge between battery technology, LDES innovation and broader energy system needs.

This event strengthened collaboration across sectors that traditionally operate separately but increasingly depend on one another.

Built Together

Through Battery Day, national programme sessions and daily ecosystem facilitation, BCC‑NL strengthens relationships, builds trust and connects ideas, people and opportunities. These connections form the backbone of a mature, internationally competitive Dutch battery industry — one that grows not because of isolated effort, but because we build it together.

Our Role: Guiding the Ecosystem Forward

Providing strategic direction for a coherent, fu ture‑proof Dutch battery ecosystem

To build a strong, competitive and sustainable bat tery value chain, clear direction is essential. BCC‑NL fulfils this role by developing strategy, roadmaps and priorities for the Dutch battery domain, and by trans lating these into joint action and decision‑making. We guide partners toward a shared vision and ensure that industry, knowledge institutions and government are aligned — from long‑term ambitions to near‑term implementation.

Last year our strategic role strengthened significantly. With major national agendas emerging and interna tional competition increasing, BCC‑NL provided direc tion where clarity, coherence and collective focus were needed most.

GUIDING THE NATIONAL STRATEGY:

Action Agendas for National Technology Strategy

In 2025, BCC NL contributed extensively to the develop ment of the Action Agendas for the National Technol ogy Strategy (NTS). By connecting partners across the battery value chain, structuring recommendations and ensuring coherence with national ambitions, BCC NL helped bring collective priorities into concrete action points.

This work directly aligns with the “Kamerbrief Voort gang Strategische Aanpak Batterijen” (December 2025), which underlines the strategic importance of batteries for Dutch competitiveness and energy independence.

THE BATTERY COMPASS:

A Strategic Guide for the Netherlands

One of the landmark achievements last year was the creation of The Dutch Battery Compass — the first comprehensive strategic guide for the Dutch battery ecosystem. The Compass outlines six strategic priorities, identifies key leverage points and translates the national ambition into an actionable direction for inno vation, industrialisation and circularity.

Through workshops, stakeholder sessions and ecosystem wide consultations, BCC‑NL ensured that the Compass reflects the needs and strengths of the entire value chain — from materials to end‑of‑life. It now serves as a reference point for decision‑makers, policy developers, project initiators and industrial partners.

With the Compass, the Netherlands has a unified strategic framework to acceler ate its position within the rapidly evolving European battery landscape.

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Directing Circular Battery Strategy Within the National Programme for a Circular Economy

In 2025, the Netherlands launched the updated National Programme for a Circular Economy (NPCE) — a corner stone for the country’s transition toward circularity. Within this broad national agenda, BCC‑NL played a guiding role in shaping the battery specific direction, ensuring that circular battery materials, design for circularity princi ples, recycling capacity and energy‑intensive process strategies were properly embedded.

Building the National Talent Foundation

Our contribution focused on tying battery circularity to industrial competitiveness: strengthening domestic supply security, stimulating high‑value recovery technologies and enabling new business models for reuse and repurposing.

In doing so, BCC‑NL helped position batteries as a priority theme within the broader Dutch circular economy strategy — connecting environmental goals to technological innovation and manufacturing growth.

HUMAN CAPITAL IN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY:

Battery Box and Metro Lines

Strategic direction requires shared understanding. Through our Human Capital Pillar we contributed to the development and launch of the Battery Box (for education) and the Metro Lines Battery Technology (for professional upskilling), together forming a system lev el tool to guide stakeholders across the value chain.

For Vocational Education, the Battery Box offers a practical teaching toolkit for educators, strengthening early stage talent development. For professionals, the Metro Lines provide clear, modular learning routes on VET level, Higher professional education and Academic university level, supporting upskilling and reskilling aligned with industry needs. Together, they enhance the national foundation for long term human capital in battery technology — a crucial component of strategic direction.

Through active coordination and structured deci sion‑making, we helped the ecosystem determine what should happen now, what should come next, and where the Netherlands can claim global leadership.

Driving execution by empowering projects, programmes and partnerships to accelerate

The enabling role of BCC NL is essential for the growth of the Dutch battery ecosystem — particularly for mid sized companies, startups and scale ups, as well as established industry.

Catalyst for Progress

BCC NL strengthens cohesion, ensures continuity and helps promising innovations grow into industrial scale activities. We bridge the space from innovation to production, ensuring that new technologies do not remain stuck in R&D, but progress toward factories, jobs and export potential. In 2025, BCC NL strengthened its position as a catalyst for progress. By initiating, connecting, accelerating and unblocking, we help the Dutch battery ecosystem grow — from first idea to full industrial execution.

Many organisations face challenges in finding the right partners, navigating funding opportunities, aligning with standards, or gaining the visibility needed to grow.

The Start of Five Growth Fund Projects

A key highlight of 2025 was the official start of five National Growth Fund projects within the battery domain. These initiatives — spanning recycling, circularity, next generation materials and electrification — mark a substantial step forward for the Dutch battery ecosystem. BCC NL played a central role in supporting consortium formation, strengthening proposals and connecting the right industrial and academic partners. The projects launched in 2025 include:

The Five Projects

• SiLENT FLIGHT – advancing battery technology for electric aviation

• CRM-LION – focusing on circular recovery of critical raw materials from lithium ion batteries

• CIMBATT – building a circular battery value chain for heavy duty and industrial applications

• SMART-CBAT – enabling smarter, more sustainable battery materials and manufacturing

• SLDBatt – awarded funding for long duration energy storage development

MILESTONE:

OBIC a First National Battery Facility

A major milestone was the selection of OBIC (Open Battery Industrialisation Centre) in Noord Brabant as the loca tion for the first national battery facility. Throughout 2025, BCC NL supported the process by connecting stakehold ers, contributing to the positioning, and ensuring alignment with both national and regional innovation agendas.

This facility forms a crucial building block in developing a robust industrial base: a place where start ups, SMEs, researchers and industry can test, validate and scale their technologies.

IMKE:

Enabling Industrial Scale-Up in the Dutch Battery Manufacturing Landscape

A clear example of how BCC‑NL enables real industrial progress is our role in supporting companies par ticipating in the IMKE scheme (Investeringssubsidie Maakindustrie Klimaatneutraal Economie). Through IMKE, Dutch battery manufacturers receive targeted support to build, expand, or modernise production lines for climate‑neutral and future‑proof energy‑stor age technologies.

In 2025, IMKE represented €58.1 million in total investments, of which €19.8 million was granted as subsidies to accelerate industrialisation. Across the full battery value chain — from components and modules to emerging chemistries — these IMKE‑supported projects demonstrate how creating the right enabling conditions directly drives manufacturing growth, job creation, and greater strategic autonomy for the Neth erlands.

The IMKE Portfolio

The IMKE portfolio consists of 11 industrial projects, each contributing to a more compet itive and resilient Dutch battery manufactur ing sector. These initiatives reflect IMKE’s core objectives: upscaling, automation, competi tiveness, autonomy, and sustainability.

NGF Follow Up Visit

In September 2025, BCC NL organised an important National Growth Fund visit to the Brainport region. Partners such as LionVolt, LeydenJar, E magy, Tulip Tech, VDL ETS AQUABATTERY, TNO, CarbonX and WMC shared progress, challenges and future ambitions across the full battery value chain.

This visit not only demonstrated the scale and diversity of Dutch battery innovation but also reinforced the importance of BCC NL’s role in connecting activities, guiding programme lines and ensuring alignment across the ecosystem.

The Wennink Report

2025 also marked the publication of the Wennink report on strengthening the Dutch battery industry. BCC‑NL played a facilitating role by bringing stakehold ers together, structuring input, and ensuring that the report’s findings could directly inform national strategy development across five battery‑related projects. The report emphasised the urgency of coordinated ac tion, improved collaboration, and strategic long‑term investments — themes that align closely with BCC‑NL’s enabling mandate.

Each project demonstrates how BCC NL helps translate national strategy into real programmes, real consortia, and real execution. BCC‑NL supports these develop ments by connecting stakeholders, aligning projects with national strategic priorities, and ensuring compa nies are integrated into broader programme lines and supply chains.

DE ROUTE NAAR TOEKOMSTIGE

Een sterk Nederland in een relevant Europa

Part of a Bigger Picture

By preparing projects, facilitating the right partnerships, and strengthening their stra tegic positioning within national agendas, BCC‑NL helps ensure these industrial invest ments do not stand alone — but instead form part of a coherent, future‑proof battery manufacturing strategy for the Netherlands.

Connecting to European and Global Value Chains

To strengthen the Dutch battery ecosystem, international visibility and strategic engagement are essential. BCC‑NL represents the Netherlands abroad, builds relationships across borders, and ensures that Dutch companies, researchers and policymakers are connected to European and global value chains.

In 2025, we expanded our international footprint significantly from Europe to Asia opening doors for collaboration, investment and strategic alignment.

Engaging with Europe’s Circular Battery Community

At the International Congress for Battery Recycling (ICBR), BCC‑NL engaged with leading European and global players in recycling technologies. We gathered the latest insights on regulatory developments, technological trends and market shifts, and strengthened our network with major European battery‑recycling companies. Partners from the CRM LION consortium, including WMC and Nth Cycle, were also present — allowing for direct strategic alignment on upcoming EU initiatives.

Connecting with European battery-recycling projects

Together with InnovationQuarter, BCC‑NL joined a high level session in Brussels focused on ongoing EU battery‑recycling projects. The aim:

• identify opportunities for Dutch participation,

• position Dutch capabilities within existing European project pipelines,

• and gain a clear overview of activities beyond CRM‑LION.

Follow up is ongoing with BEPA, the European Commission, and multiple long running EU projects — including engagements with the Future4Batt network and leading circular battery initiatives across Europe.

Building Strategic International Relationships

China: Exploring industrial opportunities

During a multi day mission to China, BCC‑NL met with advanced manufacturers, research institutes and battery innovators. We explored:

• the state of next generation battery production,

• opportunities for Dutch companies to collaborate or co develop,

• and strategic insights for the Dutch China exploration strategy.

Incoming visits from Sunwoda and Montavista strengthened this dialogue and opened new avenues for partnership.

Sweden: Collaboration at EVS38

At EVS38, BCC‑NL contributed to the NL Pavilion and engaged with Swedish partners on electrification, manufacturing and circularity. This strengthened bilateral relations and explored opportunities for joint projects within mobility and storage value chains.

South Korea: Deepening collaboration

BCC‑NL continued strengthening ties with South Korea — one of the world’s leading battery nations. A Market Exploration request for Korea was approved, paving the way for structured collaboration between Dutch and Korean ecosystems.

France: Strengthening cross-border cooperation

In 2025, France emerged as one of BCC‑NL’s most active international partners. During the Dunkerque Batteries Event, the Dutch delegation — one of the largest present — engaged closely with the rapidly expanding French battery ecosystem. As part of the programme, BCC‑NL organised high‑impact industrial visits to the ACC Gigafactory, Verkor Gigafactory, and the EDF Nuclear Power Plant, providing insight into large‑scale European cell manufacturing, fast‑scaling high‑performance battery production, and the French energy backbone supporting electrification. BCC‑NL also participated in the opening of the new Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) in Dunkirk — a strong symbol of deepening economic ties between the regions.

Germany, Brussels & Europe-wide Networks

Munich: Collaboration with South Korea & industry partners

In Munich, BCC‑NL participated in InterBattery Europe, connecting Dutch companies to global suppliers and advancing discussions on Korea–Netherlands cooperation.

Brussels: BEPA signing & engagement with the European Commission

In Brussels, BCC‑NL attended the launch of BEPA activities with Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, reinforcing our role as the Dutch gateway to European strategic initiatives.

At the Hannover Messe, BCC‑NL held a strategic discussion with the Minister — reinforcing the importance of international positioning for national battery ambitions and showcasing Dutch strengths on a global stage.

Welcoming International Delegations

In 2025, BCC‑NL hosted multiple international delega tions exploring opportunities within the Dutch battery ecosystem, further strengthening the Netherlands’ po sition as a hub for battery innovation and manufactur ing. Among the companies welcomed were Sunwoda and Montavista, two influential players in Asia’s rapidly growing battery landscape.

Sunwoda, one of China’s leading lithium‑ion battery manufacturers, produces battery systems for con sumer electronics, electric vehicles, and large‑scale energy‑storage applications. The company develops modules for smartphones, laptops, tablets, EVs, and various industrial uses, and has expanded its global footprint with manufacturing sites across Asia, Europe, and other regions.

Montavista (Anhui Mengwei New Energy Technology) is an emerging Chinese innovator in next‑generation lith ium‑metal and solid‑state batteries. The company fo cuses on high‑energy‑density materials and advanced battery cell manufacturing for electric vehicles, drones, and aviation technologies, pushing performance boundaries critical to future energy‑storage systems.

By engaging with international partners, attending strategic events, hosting global del egations and maintaining strong ties with Eu ropean and global networks, BCC‑NL ensures that Dutch battery innovation, industry and circularity expertise are visible and connect ed worldwide. This international positioning strengthens cooperation, accelerates project development, and opens doors for Dutch companies in global value chains.

Visible and Connected

Accelerating Dutch Innovation, Industry & International Positioning

The period ahead marks a next phase in the develop ment of the Dutch battery ecosystem. While recent years focused on building and connecting an inno vation pipeline, the challenge is increasingly shifting toward acceleration and scaling.

Continued investment in innovation remains essential. The strength of the Netherlands lies in consistently feeding the pipeline with new ideas, technologies and applications. At the same time, an equally significant challenge is emerging: the industrialisation and scaling of innovations that have moved beyond the develop ment stage. It is precisely at this intersection — from innovation to production — that the real difference will be made in the coming years.

A crucial prerequisite for this transition is the availabil ity of talent. The Human Capital agenda will therefore be actively implemented, in close cooperation with educational institutions across different regions of the country. Without sufficient, well trained talent, there can be no innovation, no scaling and no sustainable growth of the sector.chain.

Internationally, the next step will also be taken. Co operation with the five focus countries will be further deepened and made more concrete, with the aim of realising joint projects and long term strategic partner ships. This will strengthen not only our international position, but also access to knowledge, markets and industrial capacity.

In parallel, BCC NL itself will continue to develop from a start up organisation into a more mature and robust operational entity — one that is able not only to connect the ecosystem, but also to strengthen and accelerate it structurally.

The challenge is substantial, but the foundation has been laid. With energy, commitment and close coop eration with our partners, we will continue to build a strong and competitive Dutch battery ecosystem.

Together, we accelerate the growth of the battery value chain.

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