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Umicore showcases its unique expertise in enabling clean mobility

Regional website Germany

Berlin, 27 May 2013. Materials technology and recycling group Umicore demonstrated its unique expertise in enabling clean mobility at the international conference “Electric Mobility Going Global”. The conference is being held in Berlin and is hosted by the German Federal Government in cooperation with the German National Electric Mobility Platform. The conference is a platform for experts from industry, science, society and politics to discuss the contribution of electric vehicles to the future of clean mobility. German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel will give a keynote speech on the opening day.

Continued population growth and improving global living standards are expected to increase the need for transportation of people and goods in the coming years. At the same time, these transportation requirements must be achieved while reducing CO2 emissions and improving the quality of the air we breathe. With its expertise in the fields of lithium-ion rechargeable battery materials, automotive catalysts, fuel cell materials and battery recycling, Umicore plays a unique role in supporting all aspects of the electric mobility roadmap.

Umicore is the world’s leading producer of battery materials for hybrid and electric vehicles and is already present in the batteries that are powering more than 15 vehicle models worldwide. In addition to its extensive Asian customer base, Umicore recently signed a contract to provide Evonik Litarion with lithium-ion cathode materials. Umicore’s automotive catalysts are also key components for hybrid electric vehicles and are able to operate under extremely challenging conditions to reduce noxious emissions. Umicore also has expertise in fuel cell technology and the activities based at our Hanau site develop, produce and sell membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) and related compounds, to be used in automotive fuel cells applications.

Umicore’s uniqueness is rounded off by its recycling capabilities. Umicore is is able to recycle old automotive catalysts, spent rechargeable batteries and fuel cell components. Umicore can recover more than 20 precious and specialty metals from its recycling processes and currently operates two dismantling centers for end of life batteries from (hybrid) electric vehicles, one of which is in Hanau, Germany.

Conference “Electric Mobility going global” – where to find us:

In addition to the conference’s expert discussions, the extensive technical exhibition “Path of development of Electric Mobility” informs about the latest developments in electro mobility. The exhibition includes important activities of the German Federal Government and the German National Electric Mobility Platform. Umicore will be present at the conference on both days and is part of the exhibition “Path of development of Electric Mobility”, presenting its clean technology solution within the exhibition’s theme “Battery & Recycling”. Umicore experts Frank Treffer, Head of Umicore Battery Recycling Hanau, and Jan Tytgat, Senior Manager EU Government Affairs, will be present at the booth.

About “Electric Mobility going global”

The conference “Electric Mobility going global” is hosted by the German Federal Government in cooperation with the German National Electric Mobility Platform. Leading experts from industry, science, society and politics have been involved in the conception of the conference, which takes place in Berlin, Germany on May 27th and 28th. The conference offers a unique forum to discuss the contribution of electric vehicles to the future of mobility, energy supply and supply chain scenarios. On the opening day, German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel will give a keynote speech on the topic.

Umicore in Germany

Umicore employs around 2,400 people in Germany. Our largest site is in Hanau, near Frankfurt, in an area that  has earned the name Materials Valley. Hanau is a major research site for Umicore, particularly around the theme of clean technology (automotive catalysts, battery recycling and fuel cells).