Newsletter February '26
2. Battery Regulation
Suggested reading: DEKRA’s 2026 practical summary of operational milestones under the EU Battery Regulation, including carbon footprint verification and recycling documentation methodologies.
3. Market signal – EU 4680 scaling
LG Energy Solution is expanding its Wrocław plant with a 46-series cylindrical EV battery line, targeting ~11.5 GWh annual capacity from 2028.
The project strengthens European cell manufacturing, supports next-generation EV platforms, and is projected to avoid ~20.6 million tonnes of CO₂ over a decade.
4. Implementation behaviour – GBA Battery Passport Operational Trials
Companies are mapping systems article-by-article against the EUBR and joining 2026 Operational Trials under the Global Battery Alliance Battery Passport framework.
ReSource is participating as track and trace provider to test traceability, carbon footprint and due diligence data flows and validate implementation readiness.
5. Data & ESG signal – Black mass tightening
NCM black mass payables hit record highs as strong Chinese demand, policy shifts and limited end-of-life battery supply tightened feedstock availability.
6. Risk & enforcement – EU local content thresholds
Draft Industrial Accelerator Act provisions could require 70% EU content (excluding batteries) for supported EVs and mandate EU-origin battery components.
7. Forward-looking signal
No major shifts this month.
Re – our neutral guide – delivers ReSource’s monthly snapshot of compliance and traceability signals observed across battery value chains.
Thank you for reading our monthly signals.
Sources: 1. McKinsey & Company (2026); 2. DEKRA (2026); 3. Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (2026); 4. Global Battery Alliance (2026) 5. Fastmarkets (2026); 6. Electric Vehicle (2026).
