Emma Nehrenheim to lead European Battery Alliance amid rising global competition
Emma Nehrenheim has been appointed as the Managing Director of the European Battery Alliance (EBA), a major initiative supported by the European Commission to advance Europe’s battery value chain and industrial resilience. Nehrenheim, who brings over 20 years of expertise in environmental engineering and battery manufacturing, most recently served as Chief Environmental Officer and President of Northvolt Materials. She played a key role in scaling European battery production and influencing the EU’s Battery Regulation focused on sustainability and recyclability standards. Her leadership is set to navigate the alliance through a critical phase as Asia’s battery manufacturers, constrained by overcapacity and limited access to the US market, increasingly target Europe, intensifying competition.
Nehrenheim declared, “Our mission isn’t just to build a battery industry, but to make it European—shaped by our standards, driven by our innovation, and powered by our industrial strength.” Her statement underscores the EBA’s ambition not only to defend existing production but to foster growth that aligns with European values and industrial strategy. Diego Pavía, CEO of InnoEnergy—the organisation responsible for leading the EBA’s industrial stream since 2017—highlighted the strategic importance of Europe’s battery value chain. He stressed that the sector, linked closely to the automotive industry which comprises 7% of Europe’s GDP and supports 13 million jobs, is in a pivotal moment where the next four to five years will determine Europe’s global standing.
The European Battery Alliance has been instrumental in mobilising over €100 billion in investment commitments and attracting participation from more than 440 industrial actors since its inception in 2017. It aims to grow Europe’s battery industry to represent 8% of GDP by 2030, unlocking an estimated €300 billion in value and creating one million new jobs. The EBA encompasses the entire battery ecosystem including raw materials sourcing, manufacturing, active materials, integration, and recycling—each critical to building a resilient, sustainable supply chain. Notably, EIT InnoEnergy has supported over 800 companies and invested in more than 50 projects within this ecosystem, while its Skills Institute has trained more than 100,000 professionals to meet expanding industry needs.
In addition to strengthening capacity across established markets, the EBA has also focused on strategic partnerships to develop battery production in regions rich in key resources. For example, under the EBA umbrella, a collaboration with Serbia is underway to foster a sustainable battery ecosystem leveraging Serbia’s significant lithium reserves, aligning with EU sustainability standards and regulations. This reflects a broader strategy to secure raw materials and boost circular economy practices in Europe’s battery supply chain.
The EBA’s trajectory also coincides with wider clean tech ambitions championed by InnoEnergy, which recently unveiled a rebranding to signify its commitment to scaling clean industrial innovations. With plans to mobilise up to €160 billion in clean tech investment by 2030, efforts span battery technologies, solar energy, and green hydrogen, all central to Europe’s industrial strategy and the energy transition.
Challenges remain, particularly in workforce development where rapid upskilling is essential. Industry leaders have highlighted the need to retrain or upskill approximately 800,000 workers by 2025 to meet demand, alongside the anticipated significant growth in related sectors like solar PV jobs. Events and forums organised by the alliance continue to focus on fostering innovation and collaboration across stakeholders, showcasing emerging startups and stimulating dialogue on critical issues such as raw materials circularity.
With Emma Nehrenheim now steering the European Battery Alliance, backed by InnoEnergy’s extensive network and investment capacity, Europe is positioning itself to not just compete but lead in the global battery market. The overarching aim remains clear: to establish a competitive, sustainable, and integrated European battery value chain that underpins the continent’s transition to clean energy and mobility, securing economic and industrial sovereignty in a rapidly evolving landscape.