Norway opens the door to joining European battery collaboration
You may have heard of an IPCEI?
IPCEIs, or 'Important Projects of Common European Interest', are a key instrument in the EU's industrial policy. Through IPCEIs, Member States collaborate on projects in strategically important value chains and may depart from the standard state aid rules.
Norway currently participates as a direct partner in one IPCEI on hydrogen. Germany has now invited Norway to join one of two battery IPCEIs: IPCEI European Battery Innovation (EuBatIn). Norway also participates as an indirect partner in the IPCEI on semiconductors (IPCEI Microelectronics).
Competitive battery ecosystems
Håkon Haugli, our CEO, welcomes Norway's access to IPCEI EUBatIn and says this is particularly relevant to Norway's competitive battery industry.
'The opportunity for Norwegian companies to participate in EuBatIn gives them access to key European partners and markets. Norway has strong industry clusters and expertise in low-carbon manufacturing, process industries and recycling. We are well positioned to contribute to Europe's major investment in batteries and the development of green industries and clean energy solutions,' says Haugli.
- More than 70% of Norway's mainland exports go to Europe. It is vital that Norwegian businesses have a presence and access to European markets, where new value chains are now being established, Håkon Haugli emphasises.
We coordinate IPCEI initiatives. This means we are the first point of contact for identifying new IPCEI initiatives and assessing the potential for Norwegian participation. Through IPCEIs, member states collaborate on projects in selected priority areas and may depart from the standard state aid rules.
On behalf of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, we are now conducting a national call for expressions of interest. Does your company have a major innovative project involving recycling, the development of fourth-generation battery cells, new production methods or materials for battery production that could benefit from extensive European collaboration?