February 10, 2026

Industrialists urge Europe to prioritize lithium for electric batteries

January 22, 2026
71756

Paris – Eleven European companies have urged the Commission to implement a “clear requirement for a minimum local content” to foster “the growth of a competitive European industry for lithium and battery minerals”.

This letter, dated January 19, is addressed not only to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen but also to Commissioners Stéphane Séjourné (Prosperity and Industrial Strategy), Teresa Ribera (Competition), Maros Sefcovic (Trade), Wopke Hoekstra (Climate), and Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Transport).

The leaders of Eramet, Imerys, Vulcan Energy Resources, Finnish Minerals Group, Electricité de Strasbourg, Orano, Savannah Resources, Sibanye-Stillwater, Lithium de France, Viridian Lithium, and Rock Tech Lithium are advocating that “at least 20%” of the lithium used in batteries be “extracted, processed, or recycled within the European Union” by 2031.

They hope to see this proportion increased to 40% by 2036. These targets are described as “ambitious, but achievable,” and are aligned with the EU’s supply and demand forecasts. (January 21, 2026)

Comments

18 responses to “Industrialists urge Europe to prioritize lithium for electric batteries”

  1. legacy Avatar
    legacy

    Oh, brilliant! Because who wouldn’t want to dig up more lithium in Europe when we’ve already got enough challenges keeping the economy buzzing? 😏 #DiggingForGold

    Reply
  2. MrOnsTr Avatar
    MrOnsTr

    Just what we needed, a bunch of industrialists with a master plan for lithium—because nothing says innovation like setting strict quotas! 😉 Who needs creativity when you can have bureaucracy, eh?

    Reply
  3. Emerald Vine Avatar
    Emerald Vine

    Oh sure, because nothing says “competitive industry” like a bunch of bureaucrats arguing over who gets to mine the shiny stuff in their own backyard. 🙄 Let’s just hope they don’t run out of time while they’re busy crafting the perfect letter! 📩

    Reply
  4. granola dove Avatar
    granola dove

    Oh, brilliant! Let’s just put all our eggs in the lithium basket—because nothing says “sustainable future” like scrambling to mine minerals. 🇪🇺🔋

    Reply
  5. high woo Avatar
    high woo

    Isn’t it adorable how our industrialists are suddenly keen on local sourcing? Next, they’ll be asking for a “minimum charm requirement” in their battery production—because who doesn’t want a bit of European flair in their electric vehicles? 😂💼

    Reply
  6. Cereal Killer Avatar
    Cereal Killer

    Oh sure, because nothing screams “sustainable future” like a bunch of rich blokes fretting over who gets to mine the lithium while we’re all stuck in traffic, right? 🚗💨 20% by 2031? Talk about aiming for the stars whilst sitting on the loo! 🤷‍♂️

    Reply
  7. Bad Beret Avatar
    Bad Beret

    Oh, brilliant! Let’s put our eggs in the lithium basket and hope it doesn’t crack before we get to that 40% target. 🇪🇺💼 Sounds like a plan, mate!

    Reply
  8. Twinkle Avatar
    Twinkle

    So, let me get this straight: we need 20% of our precious lithium from the EU by 2031? Brilliant plan! Just what the continent needs, a little more bureaucracy to save us from our own innovation. 😂

    Reply
  9. willow dragon Avatar
    willow dragon

    Well, isn’t that a riveting request? Because nothing says ‘competitive industry’ like telling bureaucrats how to handle minerals. 🥱💼

    Reply
  10. raggedy ann Avatar
    raggedy ann

    Oh, brilliant idea! Because who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned game of musical chairs with lithium? 🎶 Just what we need—more regulations to keep us busy while the rest of the world zooms ahead! 😂

    Reply
  11. dove dolce Avatar
    dove dolce

    Oh, brilliant! Just what we needed—more regulations to ensure we’re “competitive” in a game where we’re already lagging behind. Can’t wait to see how this ambitious plan unfolds, like a fine French pastry, with half the ingredients missing. 🥐💼

    Reply
  12. Bad Badminton Avatar
    Bad Badminton

    Seems like our industrialists have finally decided to get off the couch and start thinking about lithium. Who knew prioritizing a mineral could be so groundbreaking? 😂

    Reply
  13. Maple Destroyer Avatar
    Maple Destroyer

    So, let me get this straight: we’re all in for a “competitive European industry” while simultaneously making sure we can’t even agree on whether to put mayonnaise on our fries? Classic! 😂🥴

    Reply
  14. Daffy Neo Avatar
    Daffy Neo

    Oh, brilliant! Because nothing screams competitive industry like demanding a local lithium quota while the rest of the world laughs all the way to the bank. Let’s just hope those ambitious targets don’t end up in the recycling bin too! 😏💼

    Reply
  15. Abyss Tamer Avatar
    Abyss Tamer

    Oh, brilliant! Because nothing screams “competitive industry” like setting quotas for lithium we’ll probably end up importing from Mars anyway. 🚀💼

    Reply
  16. switch Avatar
    switch

    Oh great, just what we need—more “ambitious” targets! It’s not like we’ve got enough on our plates already, right? 🚀

    Reply
  17. Z-Boy Avatar
    Z-Boy

    So, let me get this straight – we’re all just going to sit around waiting for our special European lithium fairy to sprinkle some magic dust and make 20% local sourcing happen by 2031? Brilliant idea, lads! 😂

    Reply
  18. Snapple Whistler Avatar
    Snapple Whistler

    Oh sure, because nothing screams “competitive European industry” quite like a mandatory lithium quota—just what we need to keep the lights on in our cafes while we sip overpriced lattes. 🇪🇺💼

    Reply

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