ILA Blog
A bright future for lead
I spoke at two conferences last week, one organised by analysts from the commodities group CRU, the other an event for Metal Bulletin. On both occasions I was making the case for the future of lead.
On both occasions I found myself correcting misperceptions about the future of lead and lead batteries, and I was able to set the record straight based on hard data. It’s clear to me and many in the industry that lead and lead products can enjoy a bright future, if we seize the opportunities that global policy changes are presenting.
That change involves the transformation being driven by electrification in the motor industry and the rapidly expanding demand for renewable energy and the storage of energy in batteries.
Future opportunities: renewable energy storage
Many industries - from fossil fuel giants to the car-makers - are going through significant adjustments as they attempt to map out the road ahead.
Lead metal is integral to the battery industry and this is our opportunity to seize the day.
The basis for my optimism is the likely growth in the worldwide battery market which of itself will see lead batteries continuing to supply a major share. It’s becoming a cliché, but it’s worth repeating, that even electric cars rely on lead batteries for safety and reliability.
However, perhaps the most significant revolution is taking place in renewable energy, where the need for storage far outweighs current capacity for lead batteries and other technologies. In other words – we need advanced lead batteries together with lithium batteries to meet the forecast demand for renewable energy storage long into the future.
Through our research centre at ALABC we are preparing the ground for the next generation of lead batteries, and we’re already seeing increasing demand for lead battery storage supporting solar and wind farms worldwide.
In Europe where policy-makers are forging ahead with decarbonisation plans, lead and lithium batteries together represent the only viable way of meeting the continent’s burgeoning battery energy storage needs. And lead batteries are already proving the most sustainable product, operating in a closed loop with 99% recycling rates in both Europe and the US. This is the circular economy in action.
ILA Blog
Industry committed to improving recycling standards worldwide - 09/09/2019
For more than two decades the International Lead Association (ILA) has been supporting the lead battery recycling industry with technical expertise advising businesses, governments and … Continue ReadingEnsuring the environmentally sound, safe and sustainable recycling of used lead batteries is a joint effort - 05/09/2019
It is a pivotal time for the global lead and lead battery industries. As the world moves towards a more sustainable, responsible, and environmentally-sound future, … Continue ReadingInnovative ways to manage lead exposures at H. J. Enthoven & Sons - 20/08/2019
By Mark Ashmore (H. J. Enthoven & Sons, United Kingdom) As legislation inevitably catches up with the science of human health effects, what are the challenges … Continue ReadingOur man in the field… closer to home - 05/08/2019
Brian Wilson ILA’s battery safety and recycling expert Brian Wilson has exchanged the jungles of Colombia and the recycling plants of Nairobi for the streets of … Continue ReadingSocrates’ view on lead in a Circular Economy - 29/07/2019
By Annelies Malfliet, KU Leuven If generation were in a straight line only, and there were no compensation or circle in nature, no turn or return into … Continue ReadingIndustry must work together to defend its future - 26/06/2019
By Dr Andy Bush Our industry is at something of a turning point as we look ahead, which is exactly what we did at the 21st International … Continue ReadingComing together for a sustainable future for the lead industry - 31/05/2019
By Dr Andy Bush With just two weeks until Pb2019, ILA is readying itself to welcome over 150 delegates at the premier event for analysis and … Continue ReadingEurope needs a new industrial strategy in which to champion batteries - 03/04/2019
By Dr Andy Bush Concerned by China, the EU is rapidly looking for a new industrial strategy to match the perceived power and influence of a … Continue ReadingGlobal recycling day: how lead and lead batteries support green growth - 18/03/2019
By Dr Andy Bush One of the pressing questions for all businesses grappling with how to protect the earth’s natural resources and environment for the long … Continue ReadingSocrates and the philosophy of the circular economy - 11/03/2019
By Lisa Allen, REACH Manager THE EU has published an update on its progress towards becoming a truly circular economy, and it reads a bit like this: … Continue ReadingPromoting and supporting best practice recycling in Nairobi, Kenya - 11/03/2019
By Brian Wilson ILA’s responsible battery recycling expert Brian Wilson is in Kenya, primarily to attend the upcoming United Nations Environment Assembly, where he will make … Continue ReadingIn Europe lead batteries will help charge a low carbon future - 19/02/2019
By Dr Andy Bush With elections around the corner, Europe is not just facing one year of political upheaval, but decades of significant transformation as it … Continue ReadingAs climate change tops the list of concerns at Davos, governments must move quickly to back battery technologies - 24/01/2019
By Dr Andy Bush As global decision makers consider the state of the world at their gathering in Davos, climate change and environmental concerns feature in … Continue ReadingThe year ahead promises change and new opportunities - 01/01/2019
By Dr Andy Bush As we enter a new year it will without doubt be a significant period of new challenges and opportunities - and change … Continue ReadingInnovation is the key to tackling climate change - 03/12/2018
By Dr Alistair Davidson AS politicians and experts gather in Poland to consider how to tackle global warming, battery experts are continuing to see how innovation … Continue ReadingMicrogrid experiment is part of global battery energy storage bid to boost electrification - 09/11/2018
By Dr Alistair Davidson ON a university campus in rural Missouri, a partnership project between industry and academia is paving the way for homes to adopt … Continue ReadingLead batteries provide the blueprint for circular economy and sustainability goals - 31/10/2018
By Dr Alistair Davidson Today we celebrate World Cities Day, a UN designated day for the recognition and celebration of urbanisation worldwide, with the motto ‘Better … Continue ReadingThe European Battery Alliance is one year old; it is time to embrace all battery technologies - 15/10/2018
By Dr Andy Bush This month marks the one-year anniversary of the European Battery Alliance (EBA). With energy storage in Europe increasing by 49% in 2017, … Continue ReadingHow lead batteries help achieve a greener world - 25/09/2018
Dr Alistair Davidson Last week, Zero Emissions Day focused the world’s attention on the goal of reducing emissions and encourages and celebrates opportunities to achieve this … Continue ReadingSolar power and lead batteries energise the Navajo Nation - 23/08/2018
Dr Alistair Davidson In one of the most sun-drenched regions of North America, ALABC member company Crown Battery is helping deliver a sustainable, renewable energy storage … Continue ReadingThe EU is short-circuiting its battery plans - 27/06/2018
Dr Andy Bush ONE of the most high-profile EU Commissioners (and forthcoming candidate for the EU presidency) Maroš Šefčovič, has been in Washington D.C., US, speaking … Continue ReadingA plan for all seasons - 21/05/2018
Dr Andy Bush THE vast legislative juggernaut that is the EU moved up a gear this week with the latest announcement of its package of measures … Continue ReadingOur man in Colombia - 15/05/2018
Brian Wilson CALI is a thriving city in the north-west of a South American country once renowned for its reputation for drug cartels and conflict. Times have … Continue ReadingLetter from America: the heat is on - 10/05/2018
Dr Andy Bush I HAVE spent a week deep in the Arizona desert with the US’s leading battery manufacturers discussing the opportunities and threats facing the … Continue ReadingRevolutionary spirit energises Boston - 02/05/2018
Dr Alistair Davidson AS the birthplace of the American revolution it was fitting that Boston, Massachusetts, should host a conference about a very different, but no … Continue ReadingSomething fishy’s going on in Sweden - 25/04/2018
Dr Andy Bush The European Union is currently consulting on a proposal which could, if supported, restrict the use of lead metal in products. This would be … Continue ReadingDoes the left hand know what the right hand is doing? - 23/04/2018
Dr Steve Binks Businesses welcome good regulation, but sometimes large organisations such as the EU are faced with the left hand not always being aware what … Continue ReadingFollow the star in the East - 03/04/2018
Dr Alistair Davidson SAUDI ARABIA has signalled another dramatic step in its transformation from being an oil state to a renewable energy empire, by investing $200billion … Continue ReadingLead batteries: essential energy for a greener world - 16/03/2018
Dr Andy Bush The huge increase in demand for safe and reliable batteries to store energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind heralds a … Continue ReadingChina forges ahead in energy storage using advanced lead batteries - 15/03/2018
Dr Alistair Davidson One of my early impressions as I tour China’s vast industrial heartlands is the country’s growing demand for electricity from renewable sources to … Continue Reading