As battery demand surges, the industry faces a workforce skills gap that traditional training cannot fill. This talk examines the transformative role of Virtual Reality (VR) in bridging this divide. We will discuss how immersive simulation tackles the unique challenges of battery manufacturing—from high-voltage safety to cleanroom precision—by offering risk-free, hands-on experience. Learn how leading manufacturers are leveraging VR to accelerate onboarding, reduce material waste, and standardize best practices across global facilities, turning the challenge of workforce development into a competitive advantage.

The battery industry has entered a new phase defined by global supply chain redistribution, a focus on deployment, and shifting competitive strategies among global cell makers. This talk distills the key insights from Battery Report 2025, providing a clear, data-backed view of how the sector evolved over the past year and where momentum is heading. We will walk through the most consequential developments shaping the global manufacturing landscape- from commissioning milestones and capacity swings to the emergence of new regional hubs. The session will highlight the technologies making meaningful progress in deployment, including advances in LFP manufacturing optimization, dry-electrode scaling, and early semi-solid-state production line activity. Beyond technology, the talk will analyze how leading cell manufacturers are repositioning: supply-chain realignments, JV restructuring, capex prioritization, and shifts in product strategy across EV, stationary storage, and high-performance applications. Attendees will leave with a concise, integrated picture of the manufacturing ecosystem- grounded in the latest data- and a clearer sense of the strategic currents shaping the next stage of industry growth.

The Battery Advocacy for Technology and Transformation (BATT) Coalition is a voice for the US battery materials manufacturers working to grow the upstream materials supply from extraction, synthesis, and processing. BATT advocates for legislative and federal policy that will promote market incentives and trade policies to support industry growth. This presentation will highlight the Federal policy landscape and Administration actions that support coalition objectives and the gaps that remain.

AI is transforming our daily work and the battery industry is no exception. From material discovery to manufacturing, AI has the potential to accelerate development, to enhance quality, and to enable smarter, data-driven decisions. In R&D, it can predict new materials and combinations and can also optimize cell and battery designs. In production, it can drive efficiency through predictive maintenance and real-time control. Yet adoption remains early, limited by data silos, security concerns, and missing organizational AI governance. Vertical integration will be key to success, providing end-to-end data access and ownership. The vision is clear: AI can revolutionize battery innovation—but the journey has just begun.

Chinese xEV battery manufacturing technology has developed special battery production technologies for solid-state batteries, new materials, and fast-charging batteries for the targets of reducing costs and energy consumption. Solid-state battery production has gradually derived from thermal composite and in situ solidification, as well as active-material composite solid-state electrolyte technologies. Fast-charging batteries put more effort to lamination accuracy, speed, and multi-tab design. This report will briefly analyze the latest developments.

In “Beyond the Pack: Scaling Battery Manufacturing for Resilience, Innovation, and Circularity,” Dr. John Warner addresses the next phase of battery pack manufacturing. The session covers lessons learned from recent supply chain disruptions, strategies for localization and regional alliances, and the adoption of advanced technologies like automation, robotics, and AI. Emphasis is placed on circularity through recycling and sustainable gigafactory practices, as well as workforce development and policy adaptation. Attendees will discover actionable approaches for building resilient, flexible, and sustainable manufacturing operations, positioning their organizations to lead in the rapidly evolving battery industry and support the global energy transition.

Building on 12 years of academic research, I will introduce Aikemics, a startup that develops predictive computational models for battery manufacturing. Our software integrates physics-based simulations and hybrid AI to assist decision-making from electrode to full-cell assembly. This lecture highlights our unique approach and the transition from academic pilot-line validation to providing scalable industrial solutions.

BearLITE-processing is patented wet slurry drying technology which enables defined, inline controlled processing within seconds, up to 90% energy reduction, and is CO2-free and a fraction of today's convection dryer investment costs.

This talk presents data visualization and contextualization tools that enable rapid assessment of process changes in battery manufacturing and material refining.

The battery industry has been fixated on gigafactories, but high-value applications in aerospace, defence, and performance automotive require a different approach. This talk will show how niche programs not only deliver solutions where scale players cannot, but also act as innovation engines and sovereign supply proof points that shape the wider industry.

Closures, cancellations, and stalled projects have exposed a hard truth: the US battery industry cannot succeed without a stronger workforce. Factories and funding may grab headlines, but execution depends on people. This session examines the lessons behind recent setbacks, the state of today’s talent landscape, and what it will take to build for the future. From recruiting to training to retention, we’ll explore the priorities leaders must embrace to keep the US competitive.