ICM -

The International Congress for Battery Recycling ICBR 2016 comes at a very good time, as a great many innovations have been created in battery technology in the last few years, especially with the introduction of the lithium battery to the electric vehicle (EV) market. This accounts for the continuously growing success of this congress. It definitely rates as a top event that should not be missed by anyone involved in the important field of battery recycling.

Due to the above-stressed constantly increasing significance of lithium batteries, their recycling processes and related issues are topics which dominate this year’s event. Three key presentations will follow, all delivered by distinguished speakers who will inform us from the point of view of the chemical industry on the impact that the EU circular economy approach is expected to have on the recycling of metals, on the relation between the responsibility of the producer and the Batteries Directive, and finally on the opinion of the car industry regarding issues associated with transporting damaged battery units. We will continue to focus on lithium batteries in session #1, which is devoted to the safety aspects of these emerging devices. During the session, important speakers, again from the car and chemical industries as well from recycling companies, will deliver talks on logistics applications and transport, fire protection, de-activation and recycling. The battery circular economy will be the topic of the afternoon session, properly presented by speakers from the EU Commission, the European Portable Battery Association, and RECHARGE. The afternoon will continue with session #3, with two presentations devoted to battery recycling efficiency. The day will end with the splendid social gatherings that characterize ICBRs, including a cocktail reception followed by the networking dinner, events where superb food and drinks will be served to create a very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere for meeting colleagues and establishing business contacts.
The first session on the morning of the second day will be devoted to battery design and removability, with the focus on the WEEE Directive for implementation, impact on product design and transport. The following session will be devoted to talks on national collection schemes, with contributions from Belgium, the US and Australia. In session #6 we will go back to lithium batteries and their role in e-mobility with interesting presentations on their service life. The congress will be concluded by session #7, dealing with more conventional, but not less relevant topics associated with recycling and sorting technologies. We will then gather for a relaxing farewell cocktail. During the congress you may also profit from e-bike and e-car test drives provided by Accell Group N.V. and Tesla Motors. Finally, the ICBR's tradition of offering plant tours to the participants is also kept this time with scheduled visits to DK Recycling und Roheisen GmbH and ACCUREC Recycling GmbH in Germany, and the companies Bebat and REVATECH in Belgium.

To put it simply, the ICBR is another great meeting with a selected technical program that will certainly stimulate interesting and lively discussions among the participants. On behalf of the Steering Committee, I would like to express our thanks to all the worldwide experts who have accepted the invitation to come to this congress and deliver their talks so as to contribute with their presentations to its success. Finally, it is clear to all of us that such an outstanding program could not be ensured without the tireless dedication of the ICM staff who have worked very hard to make this congress another unforgettable experience and to whom we all owe our deep gratitude.

Welcome to the ICBR 2016, welcome to Antwerp!

Professor Bruno Scrosati
Chairman of the Steering Committee
International Congress for Battery Recycling