Statement on the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA)

The IAA can turn Europe’s sustainable, competitiveness and security goals into industrial reality. In an era of aggressive resource and technological competition globally, Europe must urgently adopt a more assertive, impactful Made in EU strategy to rebuild its industrial leadership and secure its long-term competitiveness, economic security and clean energy future.

Batteries and their supply chains are critical in this. Beyond transport decarbonisation, batteries are a foundational technology for Europe’s strategic sectors – including resilient energy systems with clean power supply and grid stability, critical infrastructure, defense capabilities and advanced medical technologies. While Europe's battery sector faces severe market headwinds, immediate targeted support is critical to secure this strategic value chain before the window of opportunity closes.

Excessive dependencies on single-source third countries create strategic vulnerabilities for Europe. There is a real risk that dominant players will continue weaponising critical minerals. To defend the continent against external pressure, Europe needs a higher level of energy and supply chain security.

All this necessitates establishing a competitive and locally anchored battery ecosystem that is essential for strategic autonomy and sovereignty, and to reduce structural dependencies on imported fossil fuels. The transition must be implemented in line with industrial readiness and together with strategic partners with strong long-term technological and investment engagement in the European market. Therefore, strong IAA provisions are needed to create the investment certainty required to quickly scale a domestic European battery value chain, strengthen existing industrial assets and avoid further strategic dependencies.