Many gigafactories are currently under construction as automakers roll out their EV strategies and launch new vehicles that better meet consumer preferences. However, lack of development of the upstream and midstream parts of the battery value chain has exposed the industry to geopolitical risks that have only been made worse with tariffs. This talk will explore the supply chain risks that threaten the drive to de-risk battery production and dive into the geopolitical impacts on the upstream and midstream portion of battery value chain. 

The African continent is attracting significant attention from lithium mining companies interested in the growth opportunities represented by this region. Zimbabwe's recent success in the development and ramp-up of its mines proves that lithium mining in Africa has a future. Meanwhile, countries such as Ghana, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa have lithium deposits that can be profitably mined even in a lower price environment, with the application of conventional methods.

4th generation LFP constitutes a technological breakthrough and a fundamentally higher cathode material standard. Its emergence has far-reaching implications that could upheave global battery investments, supply chain structures, market competition and geopolitics. Taylor will especially examine the shift in lithium feedstock preferences and the wider impact on the lithium industry.

Cost-competitive pCAM production is essential for establishing resilient North American battery supply chains beyond Asia-dominated sources. Project Positive+ is providing a disruptive source of precursor cathode active materials (pCAM). The project uniquely delivers highly scalable regional battery materials production, in a cost-efficient manner, while enabling local critical mineral use and upgrading, creating resilient supply alternatives essential for energy security and industrial competitiveness.

We will explore the most recent Fastmarkets forecasting data on a variety of battery raw materials, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite individually. This forecast will walk through each of these markets and examine the events actively shaping the markets and how they will impact the long term drivers of pricing.

Supply chain issues facing Battery Raw materials. Extraction and processing costs of battery materials. Use of battery raw materials in Li-ion Batteries. Use of critical materials in Aerospace and Defense applications and the use of critical materials in semi conductors will be presented.

Since 1994, Argonne National Laboratory has been developing the R&D Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies (GREET) model for life-cycle analysis (LCA) of energy systems, materials, and end use technologies to help R&D activities and other LCA applications. Within the R&D GREET model, we have developed a battery LCA module to address key materials, battery components, and battery packs for their life-cycle emission performance. Most recently, we use the R&D GREET battery LCA module to simulate GHG emissions of selected battery packs under different global battery passport program frameworks. We will show the results of this effort here.

As the USA moves to a post-IRA battery development era, how do companies building a battery supply chain react? What are the chemistries that will be most resilient to geopolitical pressures, and how will the partnerships needed to succeed occur? I will lay out a path for future battery success in North America.

As demand for transition minerals escalates, strong environmental, social, and human rights safeguards will be essential to ensuring that the mining sector does not repeat the mistakes of the past. Along with government regulations, voluntary standards have an important role to play. This session will explore how standards are evolving to meet the moment. Will new standards create a foundation for more corporate accountability and sustainable mineral supply chains or increase greenwashing opportunities?

The amount of geopolitical tumult impacting the financial and clean energy markets is unprecedented, and many think we are watching a movie we've never seen before. Higher interest rates, volatile metals prices, and policy uncertainty are three of a number of issues that are impacting the pace and trajectory of electrification. pricing these risks is more important and difficult than ever before. This presentation offer a view on the true pricing of risk and explores the impacts of all higher rates, wild metal price swings, and policy uncertainty, and offers a way forward given that uncertainty is guaranteed.