The Hungarian Battery Association held an international workshop on 5 November 2025, focusing on a key segment of the battery industry: recycling. The event was organized within the framework of the New Energy Battery Joint Laboratory, established through Chinese–European cooperation by the Faculty of Science of Eötvös Loránd University, NT Recycling Ltd., and the Hungarian Battery Association.
The aim of the workshop was for experts in the field to discuss the technical and regulatory aspects of lithium-ion battery recycling. Participants included members of a Chinese delegation composed of representatives from recycling companies, equipment manufacturers, and industrial partners, as well as experts from the Hungarian Battery Association. The workshop focused on promoting cooperation, addressing the extended producer responsibility (EPR) calculation method, and exploring opportunities for broader international collaboration.
The event was opened by Ferenc Molnár, habilitated associate professor and director of the Central Research and Industrial Relations Center of the Faculty of Science at Eötvös Loránd University, who expressed his hope that the workshop would contribute to future cooperation in the field of battery recycling.
In his presentation, Dr. Péter Kaderják, Managing Director of the Hungarian Battery Association, outlined the development of the battery sector in Hungary and highlighted that by 2030 the country will become one of Europe’s largest industrial hubs. He noted that Hungary may become an important market not only for batteries produced for electric vehicles but also for energy storage systems, and that cooperation with international companies plays a key role in the industry’s growth. Dr. Kaderják also presented the challenges facing the sector, including the limited availability of primary raw materials (such as lithium and cobalt) in Hungary and the wider region, which makes
the establishment of recycling capacities particularly important.
Another key task is the development of battery testing capabilities, as well as the advancement of R&D&I activities and the strengthening of cooperation. The speaker also pointed out that social resistance to the battery industry poses a significant challenge. To counter this, the Hungarian Battery Association urges its member companies to ensure the highest possible level of transparent communication and operations.
Next, Csaba Gondola, State Secretary for Circular Economy and Climate Policy at the Ministry of Energy, spoke about what is needed in Hungary to ensure the fastest possible implementation of the energy transition. He emphasized that SMEs, multinational companies, and civil organizations all play a central role in these processes. The State Secretary also explained that the European Union’s Battery Regulation defines five battery categories, which will be incorporated into Hungarian legislation from 1 January 2026.
Ádám Nagy, Deputy State Secretary for Industrial Affairs at the Ministry of National Economy, outlined three fundamental statements in his address: the automotive and battery industries are priority focus areas of the Hungarian economy; Hungary is a leading player in these sectors within the region; and the two industries are not widely known enough in the country, which contributes to societal resistance. In connection with these points, Ádám Nagy also identified three areas for action: it is necessary to balance the market in a way that keeps it open to both Western car manufacturers and Asian battery producers; it is important to begin establishing the full lifecycle of battery production domestically, including the creation of recycling capacities; and for the long-term successful growth of the industry, the development of an appropriate regulatory framework is essential. He emphasized that Hungary is in a favorable position, as it is able to welcome Asian investors while domestic industry players already have extensive knowledge of EU-level regulatory issues.
The next speaker at the workshop was Aleksandar Dzombic, President of NT Recycling Ltd. In his presentation, he emphasized that Europe and China are complementary key players in the battery industry. The newly established joint laboratory reflects the strengthening of Chinese–European cooperation and will focus on battery recycling, the integration of carbon-emission data, and the EU’s battery passport system. The head of the company specializing in battery recycling underlined that
cooperation is needed both between East and West and between academia and industry.
Dr. Dongchang Zhao, senior expert at the China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co., Ltd. (CATARC) and Managing Director of the CATARC Carbon Digital Center, spoke next about the crucial importance of collecting data on vehicle carbon emissions, noting that Central Europe is poised for significant development in this field. He emphasized that for truly comprehensive analysis, it is essential for countries to cooperate in building shared databases—for example, in measuring the carbon footprint of batteries from production all the way to recycling.
The event also featured two roundtable discussions in which Hungarian and Chinese experts explored key issues related to battery recycling. The first discussion focused on the latest technological developments, opportunities, and future prospects of lithium-battery recycling, while the second panel examined the calculation methods of the Hungarian EPR (extended producer responsibility) fee, with participants also addressing aspects related to placing products on the market.
We thank all participants for this valuable professional day!
(Photos: Hungarian Battery Association)