IPCEI Batteries: Flash Battery’s commitment to a sustainable, integrated European value chain

Next-generation lithium batteries are a key technology for the energy transition, able to meet crucial challenges such as decarbonisation, efficient use of resources, energy security and reducing environmental impact.

More than 30 years after their market launch, these batteries are evolving to meet the needs of an increasingly diversified market: from electric mobility to industry, not to mention storage systems for renewables.

The European Union has placed the development of an innovative, safe and sustainable battery value chain at the heart of its industrial strategy, with clear goals: promoting economic growth, technological innovation, skilled employment, a circular economy and climate neutrality, in line with the SDGs of the UN 2030 Agenda.

To address major industrial transformations, the European Union has established IPCEI - Important Projects of Common European Interest, aimed at strengthening European competitiveness in high-tech sectors.

IPCEI was created as a strategic tool of the European Union to foster cooperation between companies, research centres and national governments in industrial areas considered crucial for Europe’s energy transition and industrial autonomy. It aims to close the gap between environmental goals and operational capabilities, supporting the development of tangible, sustainable innovations.

In 2018 the initiative was reinforced with the creation of the Strategic Forum for IPCEI, a group of experts from Member States, industry and the research sector tasked with identifying strategic areas of action for building value chains in batteries, autonomous mobility, hydrogen technologies, digital healthcare and low-emission industry.

IPCEI's objectives

To be recognised as an IPCEI, a project must meet specific requirements, including:

• Contributing to the EU’s strategic objectives
• Involving at least four Member States
• Providing co-funding by participating companies
• Generating widespread benefits along the European value chain
• Having ambitious goals in research, development and innovation

Each initiative must meet criteria for environmental sustainability, the protection of intellectual property and positive social impacts.

This way IPCEI promotes economic growth, the green and digital transition, the creation of skilled jobs and the resilience of the European supply chain.

Flash Battery is taking part in the first European IPCEI project entirely dedicated to the battery value chain: IPCEI Batteries, approved in 2019 with the involvement of 17 companies from seven Member States (Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Sweden).

The goal is to build a complete, sustainable and autonomous industrial battery ecosystem covering the entire life cycle: from raw materials to cell and module design, through to integration in smart systems and recycling.

Flash Battery has developed an advanced Battery Management System (BMS) specifically designed for new cell technologies, to ensure safety, performance and service life. It has also worked on technologies for next-generation battery systems for industrial applications.

In January 2025 the merger between IPCEI Batteries and IPCEI EuBatIn (European Battery Innovation) was made official, with a new joint structure coordinated by France and Germany. The goals:

• Strengthen the entire European battery value chain
• Create more synergy between companies and EU Member States
• Accelerate the development of next-generation technologies
• Improve European industrial competitiveness

Launched in 2023, the integration process reached a milestone at the first joint IPCEI Batteries-EuBatIn General Assembly held on 14 and 15 October 2024 in Lyon, at the Campus du Numérique of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region.

The event brought together representatives of the European Commission, Member States and partner companies, including Flash Battery, and was an opportunity to discuss future challenges and opportunities for the European value chain with respect to sourcing, cell and module development, storage system construction and recycling strategies.

The official launch of the new Franco-German-led joint structure was formalised during the Extraordinary General Assembly held in January 2025, and at the same time the Facilitation Group – the operational coordination body for the projects – was renewed.

Our CTO, Alan Pastorelli, was reconfirmed as Deputy Leader of Workstream C – Battery Systems, alongside Austria’s AVL (EuBatIn).

Flash Battery’s contribution within IPCEI Batteries and EuBatIn focuses on three main assets:

An advanced Battery Management System (BMS) that is able to improve the performance, life and reliability of industrial batteries. Flash Data Center, the company’s proprietary data centre, which processes over 200 million logs. Thanks to a data-driven approach to battery operation, it enables predictive analysis, real-time State of Health monitoring and continuous performance optimisation. Advanced algorithms based on machine learning and AI to process usage data with increasing accuracy, improve battery efficiency over time, increase reliability and plan battery end-of-life.

Flash Battery’s commitment to the IPCEI also extends to production, with the installation of a new automated lithium module assembly line at its Sant’Ilario d’Enza site, integrated into a new 2,200 m² expansion of its production facilities.

The new line can achieve a production capacity of up to 90,000 modules per year and represents a key element in Flash Battery’s strategy of internalising expertise: a model that enables us to guarantee quality, flexibility and independence from non-EU suppliers, fully in line with IPCEI’s vision of building a strong, independent and integrated European battery value chain.

This line is currently the most advanced system in Italy for assembling modules with LFP prismatic cells, and it can achieve a production capacity of 90,000 modules per year.