ICBR 2018 announces keynote speakers

Switzerland-based ICM AG, organizer of the International Congress for Battery Recycling (ICBR) 2018, Sept. 26-28, in Berlin, has announced the keynote speakers who will open the congress: Kerstin Kuchta, Hamburg University of Technology, Germany; Didier Marginèdes, Blue Solutions, France; and Gudula Schwan, Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, Germany.

ICM AG says this conference serves as an opportunity to exchange news, views and ideas with experts from all areas of the battery recycling sector. Organizers say the congress’ programming will be interesting and diverse.

“Unlike plastics, organic wastes or construction waste, batteries have a comparatively low mass flow,” says Kuchta. “However, in terms of the quality and value of their components, their complexity and their growing importance, they constitute a significant material flow in a circular economy. The focal points of my speech [are] the opportunities and limitations of the circular economy, product design and quality, as well as reuse, recycling and cascade utilization.”

The congress will touch on the topic of the circular economy, which Kuchta says has “triggered a great deal of debate throughout Europe.”

She continues, “The main criticism levelled at the [circular economy] package in Germany is that it is not ambitious or specific enough to bring about the intended transformation of the economy.” Product design and use of secondary raw materials are becoming increasingly important for batteries, Kuchta adds.

She also says transportation, energy supply and changing lifestyles are affecting the battery market.

“The recycling of batteries helps to reduce supply risks,” Kuchta says. “At the same time, recycling minimizes energy intensity in the production chain. The recycling of metals requires up to 80 percent less energy compared to primary production, thus protecting both the environment and the climate.”

For all the details on the program and how to register, visit https://www.icm.ch/icbr-2018.

ICM AG is a Swiss company that has organized conferences in Europe, North America and Asia since the year 2000.