Europe’s circular battery value chain is moving fast, and CIRCUBATT will be part of the conversation. We are excited to share that our project will be represented at the Advanced Battery Manufacturing Workshop, taking place on 16–17 April 2026 at Homerton College, Cambridge, UK, and also accessible online.
Why this workshop matters
Three Horizon Europe projects — BATTwin, AM4BAT, and BatCAT — are co-organising this hybrid event. Together, they are creating a shared platform to showcase the latest advances in battery manufacturing, digital twins, solid-state lithium-ion batteries, and innovative cell assembly techniques. This kind of cross-project collaboration is exactly what the battery sector needs right now.
The timing is highly relevant. Europe is going through a fundamental shift in how it produces, manages, and thinks about batteries. The green transition depends on batteries — for electric vehicles, for grid-scale energy storage, and for the decarbonisation of industry. However, manufacturing them at scale, sustainably, and with full visibility over their lifecycle remains one of the sector’s biggest challenges. This workshop brings together the researchers, engineers, and policymakers who are working hardest to solve these problems.
Key topics on the agenda
Digital twins are one of the most significant topics on the programme. They allow manufacturers to model and simulate battery production in real time, catching defects early, optimising parameters, and reducing waste. This technology represents a major step forward in how factories can operate. Furthermore, advances in solid-state lithium-ion batteries — which offer higher energy density and better safety than conventional chemistries — will also be central to the discussions. Both topics will shape battery production in Europe over the next decade.
Attendees can expect expert-led technical sessions, in-depth project updates, and structured networking with researchers, engineers, and manufacturers from across the battery community. Additionally, the sessions will open space for direct discussion on the opportunities and barriers to sustainable, high-performance battery cell production.
CIRCUBATT takes the stage
Among the confirmed speakers, two of our own will represent CIRCUBATT. Dr Hetty Sun and Mao (Maggie) Xu, both from the University of Greenwich, will deliver a talk titled CIRCUBATT – Multi-Life Value in Europe’s Battery Chain. Their presentation brings our project’s perspective into a conversation that is largely focused on manufacturing and materials science.
This contribution is important. A battery’s story does not end when it leaves the factory, nor when it completes its first life in an electric vehicle. What comes next — second-life applications, repurposing, recycling, and the business and policy frameworks that support these pathways — is just as critical to Europe’s battery strategy. Building a truly circular battery value chain across Europe requires this kind of systemic thinking, and that is precisely what CIRCUBATT brings to the table.
Meet the speakers
Dr Hetty Sun is Associate Head of the Executive Business Centre at the University of Greenwich and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her work focuses on social value, diversity, and academic entrepreneurship. She has also led several major EU-funded initiatives, bringing both strategic depth and a strong track record of translating research into real-world impact.
Mao (Maggie) Xu is a Lecturer in Business Operations and Supply Chain Management and Co-Investigator of the CIRCUBATT project. Her research covers sustainability, business crises, and digital trace data, with publications in leading academic journals. Together, they bring a perspective that goes beyond the technical: the organisational, economic, and systemic dimensions of building a truly circular battery value chain in Europe.
A growing community
This event already has over 100 registered participants, including researchers from leading universities, technology centres, and industry partners. This strong response reflects the momentum building around battery innovation across Europe. Moreover, the collaboration between BATTwin, AM4BAT, BatCAT, and CIRCUBATT shows that the most pressing questions in this space — from manufacturing efficiency to end-of-life value — require projects to work together.
We look forward to the conversations that Cambridge will spark, and we encourage everyone working in this field to join online.
How to attend
The event is free. In-person places are fully booked, but online registration is still open. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefms-_hPPFEYLrxKfWLmyRaxPhekFIkCX3t9lzisc4ZmbsnA/viewform