Cathode active materials (CAM) occupy a pivotal position in lithium-ion battery systems, as they are the single most influential component across all three core design criteria: performance, cost, and CO₂ footprint. The cathode dictates key electrochemical properties such as energy density and cycle life, while also representing the largest share of cell-level costs and embedded emissions due to its energy- and resource-intensive production. As a result, the choice of CAM is not just a technical decision—it is a strategic lever for advancing battery technology and meeting sustainability targets. Overlaying this technical importance is a complex and often fragile global supply landscape, where many of the industry’s most pressing sustainability challenges converge. The CAM supply chain is shaped by geopolitical risk, regional resource concentration (notably for lithium, nickel, and cobalt), and critical ESG concerns around responsible mining, ethical labor practices, and environmental impact. Addressing these challenges is essential for building resilient, scalable, and truly sustainable battery systems. Understanding cathode materials—both from a technical and a supply-chain perspective—is therefore essential for anyone working to advance next-generation battery technologies or scale-up sustainable energy storage solutions.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

• Cathode history
• Cathode chemistry families
  o    LCO
  o    NMC
  o    NCA
  o    LFP
  o    Next Gen (Mn-rich, disordered rock salts,…)

• CAM quality
  o    4M changes
  o    Raw Material qualifications
  o    Liability
• Relationship between pCAM and CAM properties
• CAM IP landcape
• CAM supply chains & ESG matters
• Key CAM contractual topics

Participants will understand why:

• pCAM and CAM are not commodities that can be simply interchanged in a cell.
• The choice of cathode chemistry directly impacts not only energy density and cycle life, but also the overall cost structure and COâ‚‚ footprint of the battery.
• Supply chain risks (geopolitical, ESG, and resource concentration) must be considered alongside technical performance when evaluating CAM options.
• Careful reflection is needed when entering long term CAM supply contracts.

This training incorporates Shmuel De-Leon`s review of new Chinese innovative technologies presented during 2024–2025.The motivation behind the training is to provide attendees with the knowledge of China's new technology market trends as China is the larger player on battery materials, cells, and battery-pack manufacturing.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

• Nano-Silicon Anodes 
• Manganese Rich Cathodes (Mn-Rich) 
• Porous Current Collectors 
• Composite Current Collectors 
• 18650, 21700, 46800, 60mm Cylindrical Cells, Including 21700 and 32140 Tabless Cells
• Na-Ion (Sodium-ion) Cells 
• LMFP Cells Semi-Solid & Solid-State Cells 
• Lithium Sulfur Cells 
• Lithium Metal with Liquid Electrolyte Cells 
• High Capacity Prismatic LFP Cells 
• Fast Charging LFP Cells High Charging Voltage LCO Cells (4.5-4.6V) 
• Wide Temperature Operational Cells
• Primary Cells
  

This tutorial will cover factors that impact successful commercialization of battery materials, technological feasibility vs. economic practicality, and market need/company capability intersection, as well as technoeconomic analysis methodology, focusing on the critical early stages of a project where product design and process chemistry and development occur amid significant technical and economic uncertainty.

Today, announcements of 10,000-15,000 cycle cells are not uncommon. Cell manufacturers need better tools to develop long-life products. Automotive OEMs, energy-system, and electronics manufacturers need better technologies to evaluate and conduct due diligence on cells sourced from others. Battery operators must know the true boundaries of how to use their cells. In this presentation, we introduce a new digital technology to address one of the most critical challenges in the battery industry: efficient and accurate prediction of cell life and aging behavior under various conditions. Benefits to the audience will be both technical and commercial.

This tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of the supply chains for commercial batteries used in the transportation industry. It covers the full battery value chain, the criteria and policies that define critical minerals, and the distinction between abundant and scarce materials. The session will explore China's dominant role in the lithium-ion battery supply chain and emphasize the strategic importance of upstream and midstream development for future growth. Each key battery material will be examined in terms of its availability, extraction methods, and processing into battery-grade form. The tutorial will conclude with a discussion on strategies to "close the loop" and achieve a more sustainable, circular battery supply chain.

This tutorial will discuss raw material price volatility and its impact on LIB cell cost. In addition, understanding key cell cost drivers and forecasting the cost of traditional LIBs, and exploring the role that recycled material (and legislation) will play in future battery cell cost will be covered. A walkthrough of key emerging technologies—similarities and differences in raw materials and manufacturing and a breakdown of cost on a kWh and cell-lifetime basis—defining cost competitiveness by application and performance requirements will be discussed, as well as LIB cost scenarios—exploring the feasibility of emerging technologies in possible future price environments.

The key challenges in the use of silicon-based anodes, as well as progress in the implementation of silicon and what can we expect in the future. The latest improvements in other battery components are required to maximize the benefit of silicon-based anodes.

This tutorial will begin with an overview of Li-ion cell design for performance and manufacturability, including contrasting the performance and characteristics of commonly used materials. The tutorial will then lead to a detailed review of Li-ion cell manufacturing, from incoming raw materials through final cell formation, aging, and shipment.

This tutorial explores how predictive analytics and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing supply chain management across demand forecasting, sourcing, and supplier performance. Participants learn to collect and prepare data, apply predictive models, and evaluate results to enhance efficiency, resilience, and competitiveness. Through real-world case studies, they develop implementation plans addressing ethical and regulatory considerations, gaining the skills to responsibly deploy AI for measurable supply chain performance gains.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

• Supply chain optimization via continuous sensing and responding
• Inventory optimization via advanced predictive modeling 
• Supply chain model development 
• Algorithms and training 
• Data normalization and data scaling 
• Predictive analytics 
• New product development process optimization 
• Supply chain resilience and agility techniques 
• Supply chain risk detection and management via machine learning​

There continues to be substantial regulatory and legislative developments associated with the transport and collection and recycling of lithium batteries of all sizes. This tutorial will address the legislative and regulatory developments and compliance requirements for new/unused, reused, and waste batteries, including damaged, defective, and recalled (DDR) batteries.

In this tutorial lecture, the development of state-of-the-art solid-state Li-ion and Na-ion electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries with an emphasis on ionic conductivity and chemical and electrochemical stabilities, will be discussed

As the world’s biggest EDV market, the Chinese xEV industry has become the most important pioneering target. However, specially planned economy, localized regulations, and multiple business models exist and make international companies’ decision-making more difficult. Therefore, this tutorial will try to provide a whole picture of the Chinese EDV battery market, including policies and regulations, future forecasts, competitive analysis, battery technology strategies, upstream supply chain, and positioning for foreign enterprises.