Want to Build Batteries in Europe? Start with the Hardest Part – and the Right Partner

🔋 The European battery industry has taken some serious hits over the past 12 months: Freyr pulled the plug, ACC stalled, Northvolt collapsed, and CustomCells is the latest to go under.

What’s common in all these cases? High capital burn, delayed scale-up, and a gap in *deep manufacturing know-how*—especially in electrode production.

Many respected voices—Christopher Chico, Michael Sura, Christoph Siara—have said it plainly: if Europe wants a battery industry, it has to work with those who’ve already mastered it.

That means partnering with Korea, Japan, and yes, China. But let’s be honest—how many of those top-tier Asian battery players are really ready to share their IP or know-how?

If you’re at Smarter-E Europe this week and you’re serious about tackling electrode and cell production challenges, there’s one booth you should not miss:

📍 Booth C3.640 at the ChungBuk Technopark stand.

That’s where you’ll find JR Energy Solution—a Korean foundry that offers manufacturing-as-a-service for electrodes and pouch cells.

👷🏻‍♂️ What’s new this year?

— 20+ chemistries produced (including LFP, NCM, Si, and solid-state trials)

— A new pouch cell line, with sample modules/packs

— Open contract manufacturing slots for H2 2025

— And hands-on training for manufacturing personnel at their 500 MWh facility in Eumsong, Korea.

This is what Europe needs—real partnerships with those who’ve done it before, and are willing to roll up their sleeves and help. Let’s build smarter, faster, and stronger. Together.

🛠️ Let me know if you’d like an intro.