ELBC 2024: The biggest and best one yet! 

The Global Lead Battery Innovation Conference and Expo, ELBC, co-organized by the International Lead Association (ILA) and CBI, took place in Milan, Italy, on 16-19 September 2024. 

It was an ELBC to remember, with a record number of attendees. Over 1,000 participants came from more than 50 countries across six continents. It was fantastic to see that a significant number of participants were joining ELBC for the first time.   

As a warm-up to the main conference, CBI organized a pre-conference workshop focused on Energy Storage. The workshop was a success, attracting almost 100 participants who had the chance to hear from leading experts from Asia, North America and Europe. Furthermore, ILA convened a workshop focused on covering the new EU Battery Regulation, discussing the impending and important new regulatory environment on the horizon in the EU. 

The Technical Program this year was packed with cutting-edge insights from nearly 90 industry experts. Some key highlights included:  

• Strong global market potential for lead batteries worldwide, emphasizing their expanding role in energy storage, industrial applications and other key industries.  

• Pioneering innovations that are paving the way for future opportunities in automotive auxiliary applications, EV fast charger back up, integration with renewable energy and hydrogen production, among others.  

• Growing collaborations within the industry resulting in a strategic alliance combining various negative and positive plate products into one portfolio, a groundbreaking discovery on plate design and much more. 

Our CBI team showcased unparalleled expertise in multiple sessions. This included: a technical review of recent developments and future performance enhancements by Dr. Matt Raiford, our Technical Director; an overview of CBI’s Technical Program’s key findings by Dr. Begüm Bozkaya, our Technical Manager; and new government-funded projects in Europe and in the U.S. presented by Dr. Athanasia-Maria Tompolidi and Dr. Alyssa McQuilling, our R&I Managers.     

This year's exhibition was also record-breaking, featuring over 120 exhibitors showcasing groundbreaking innovations and setting a new standard for the industry's future. 

The networking events were wonderful as always. The well-attended welcome and gala receptions had an Italian twist this year, filling the rooms with the enchanting ambiance of Milanese food and culture. We were particularly excited to join WGBI’s (Women in the Global Battery Industry) event, which is part of their important initiative to support and empower women in our industry.   

We had a blast this year in Milan and are very much looking forward to seeing everyone again at ELBC 2026 in Vienna, Austria! We will soon reveal the dates, stay tuned.