Battery Revolution – Alkeemia Powers Europe’s Battery Revolution from Porto Marghera A Booming Global Market for Batteries The battery industry is experiencing an unprecedented transformation. In 2024 alone, global battery demand surged, fueled by a 25% increase in automotive sales—totaling 17.7 million vehicles 07-05-2025 - Archive
Battery Revolution
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Alkeemia Powers Europe’s Battery Revolution from Porto Marghera
A Booming Global Market for Batteries
The battery industry is experiencing an unprecedented transformation. In 2024 alone, global battery demand surged, fueled by a 25% increase in automotive sales—totaling 17.7 million vehicles. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) grew by 14%, while Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) skyrocketed by 50%.
China continues to lead the charge, with electric vehicles accounting for 45% of new car sales. Remarkably, BEVs have reached cost parity with fossil fuel vehicles in China, signaling a paradigm shift in global mobility. But as the world accelerates its transition, one big question remains: is Europe ready to lead? Battery Revolution
Alkeemia’s Vision: Driving European Battery Innovation
Lorenzo Di Donato, CEO of Alkeemia, believes Europe holds a unique opportunity to shape the future of energy. “Europe can become a global leader in the battery sector,” says Di Donato. “We must innovate beyond the status quo and develop a robust supply chain from scratch.”
This ambition goes beyond automotive applications. Alkeemia is also focused on battery storage systems critical for supporting renewable energy sources—a key component in achieving energy independence.
Tariffs or Opportunity? Europe’s Supply Chain Advantage
While global trade tensions, including US tariffs, loom large, Di Donato remains optimistic. “Tariffs could become a catalyst for reshoring production. They offer a chance to build and strengthen the European supply chain.” Battery Revolution
Alkeemia is leveraging this momentum. As Europe’s fluorine chemistry leader, the company supplies hydrofluoric acid to key sectors including fluoropolymers, refrigerants, agrochemicals, and oil refining. It also produces synthetic calcium sulphate, used across construction and agriculture.
Porto Marghera: Italy’s Industrial Gem
At the heart of Alkeemia’s operations is its historic plant in Porto Marghera. A cornerstone of Italy’s industrial heritage, the site has hosted chemical production for over 70 years and offers direct access to global shipping routes.
Alkeemia is transforming this strategic location into Europe’s battery materials hub. A new production facility is set to launch, increasing fluorine processing from 22,000 to 27,000 tons annually. Battery Revolution
The plant will also purify 20,000 tons of graphite and 10,000 tons of lithium salts each year, all while reducing environmental impact and boosting efficiency.
€100 Million Investment and Growing Workforce
Alkeemia has committed to a €100 million five-year investment plan, building on €60 million spent in recent years. This growth is already reflected in its workforce—doubling from 60 to over 110 employees. The team includes top Italian graduates and international experts, including researchers from Japan, who bring advanced know-how to R&D efforts.
Expanding Beyond Italy
In addition to its Italian operations, Alkeemia has established a branch in Frankfurt, Germany. The company is also pioneering new technologies, including electronic-grade hydrofluoric acid for microchips and advanced lithium salts, with potential uses in pharmaceuticals. Battery Revolution
Building the Future Together: The Alkeemia Battery Forum
Every year, Alkeemia hosts the Alkeemia Battery Forum, a major event that gathers industry leaders—Ferrari, Iveco, Nio, CATL and more—to exchange ideas and foster innovation in battery development.
UK Plastics Tax to Include Chemical Recycling by 2027
New Tax Roadmap Brings Big Changes for Packaging Industry
In a significant update to the UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), chemical recycling will be officially recognized as recycled content starting in 2027—a long-awaited change welcomed by the packaging industry. This update comes as part of the UK government’s newly published PPT roadmap from HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs), outlining key developments for the coming years.
What Is the Plastic Packaging Tax?
Introduced three years ago, the PPT imposes a tax on plastic packaging that contains less than 30% recycled material. As of April 2024, the tax was increased to £223.69 per tonne of packaging produced or imported. Battery Revolution
What’s Changing in 2027?
Two major policy shifts will come into effect:
- Chemical Recycling Counts
For the first time, chemical recycling will be accepted as valid recycled content—as long as it follows the mass balance approach and is properly certified and documented. This move aligns with industry feedback and was hinted at during a public consultation in late 2024. - Pre-Consumer Waste Excluded
Simultaneously, pre-consumer recycled content—such as production waste—will no longer qualify for tax exemption. Only post-consumer recycled materials, whether processed mechanically or chemically, will be counted toward the 30% threshold. Battery Revolution
What This Means for Businesses
These updates will require companies to rethink their material sourcing and compliance strategies sooner than expected. Originally planned for 2029, the reforms are now set for 2027—accelerating the timeline by two years.
Businesses, including international suppliers importing 10 tonnes or more of packaging into the UK annually, must ensure full traceability of their recycled content, especially when using chemical recycling feedstock.
Suntory to implement price increases in Japan starting October
It will affect products in PET bottles, cans, and other containers.
Suntory Beverage & Food Limited has announced that it will implement price revisions for its products in Japan, effective for shipments made on or after 1 October 2025.
The company said it is facing rising costs in manufacturing, logistics, and other operational areas due to the continued increase in economic pressures across Japan.
As a result, Suntory will no longer be able to absorb these escalating expenses and has decided to revise the prices of its products. Battery Revolution
The price increases will affect products in PET bottles, cans, and other containers, with PET bottle prices rising by 6% to 25%, and cans seeing increases between 10% and 24%.
Hybrid Battery Breakthrough Could Slash Solar Energy Costs and Maximize Self-Use
A pioneering development by Spanish scientists could make solar energy not only greener—but also cheaper and smarter. Researchers at the Technical University of Madrid have unveiled a hybrid energy storage system that blends lithium-ion batteries with thermal batteries, slashing solar energy costs and significantly improving energy self-consumption in buildings.
A Smarter Way to Store Solar Power
Traditional solar energy systems often rely solely on lithium-ion batteries, which are excellent for high-power, short-duration usage. But they come with a major drawback: high upfront costs. This makes large-scale storage expensive, limiting the amount of solar power that can be stored and used onsite. Battery Revolution
To solve this, the Madrid research team added power-to-heat-to-power systems (PHPS) into the mix. These thermal batteries convert surplus electricity into heat, store it efficiently, and convert it back into electricity when needed—at a fraction of the cost.
Waste Heat, Recycled for Efficiency
PHPS systems offer another surprising benefit: they recycle waste heat. During the energy conversion process, the system generates heat, which can be reused to warm buildings. This not only boosts energy efficiency but also reduces heating costs—making the solution especially attractive for colder climates. Battery Revolution
Testing the Tech: Realistic Simulations
To test the concept, the researchers modeled a fully electrified building in Madrid using tools like PVSyst and EnergyPlus. Their virtual building setup included:
Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels
- Lithium-ion batteries
- PHPS thermal units
- Heat pumps
- Low-temperature thermal storage (LTES)
They compared this hybrid setup (called the LP system) against a standard configuration with just PV and lithium-ion batteries (the L system).
Lower Energy Costs, Higher Self-Consumption
The results were impressive. The hybrid LP system, when paired with a heat pump, achieved a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of $86/MWh (€76)—a 7% reduction compared to $87/MWh (€77) for the lithium-only setup. Battery Revolution
With electric heaters, the difference grew:
- Hybrid system: $166/MWh (€147)
- Conventional system: $169/MWh (€149)
Even more significant was the jump in solar self-consumption, a key metric for off-grid and low-cost energy users:
- With heat pump: Hybrid system reached 68.3% vs. 68.1% (standard)
- With electric heaters: Hybrid system hit 79.5% vs. 68.6% (standard)
Complementary Strengths for Smarter Energy
Each battery type has its role. Lithium-ion batteries are ideal for short-term, high-demand uses—like powering homes in the evening. PHPS systems handle longer-term, base-load demands more efficiently. Together, they create a balanced, flexible, and cost-effective energy strategy.A Bright Future for Solar-Ready Buildings
The study, published in Applied Energy, underscores how hybrid energy storage could revolutionize solar building design. Battery Revolution
By combining different battery technologies, we can cut costs, boost efficiency, and make solar energy more viable than ever before.
Nordson and Fimic Announce Breakthrough Plastics Recycling Collaboration for K 2025
A New Chapter in Plastics Innovation
Nordson BKG and Fimic have unveiled a deepened partnership aimed at revolutionising the plastics recycling industry. The announcement sets the stage for a major technological innovation to be revealed at K 2025, the world’s leading plastics and rubber trade fair, scheduled for October 8–15, 2025, in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Combining Strengths Across Borders
Germany-based Nordson BKG, a division of US-headquartered Nordson Polymer Processing Systems, is renowned for its melt pumps, screen changers, and pelletising systems. Battery Revolution
In January 2025, Italian recycling technology leader Fimic became the exclusive sales agent for Nordson BKG in Italy—strengthening their commercial ties.
Now, the two companies are taking their alliance a step further with an “enhanced collaboration” to jointly develop advanced solutions for plastics processing and recycling. While technical details remain under wraps until the K Show, both firms promise a game-changing unveiling.
Driving Sustainable Progress
“This strategic partnership with FIMIC allows us to combine our strengths and accelerate innovation in plastics recycling,” said Sven Conrad, Global Segment Development Director at Nordson BKG. “We expect our joint efforts to deliver more sustainable and efficient solutions for the industry.” Battery Revolution
Fimic CEO Erica Canaia echoed this sentiment, calling the initiative “a crucial step toward meeting the evolving demands of the plastics sector through next-generation technology.”
Stay tuned for exclusive updates from K 2025, where this groundbreaking solution will be officially revealed.
