Press Release
Hannover, 1 April 2025 – During the ongoing Hannover Messe 2025, Europe’s largest industrial technology trade fair, Dutch battery innovation is clearly making its mark. Representing the Battery Competence Cluster – NL (BCC-NL), director Mustafa Amhaouch is taking part in a roundtable discussion with Minister Dirk Beljaarts of Economic Affairs, along with senior government officials and the Dutch Embassy in Germany. The roundtable, organized by RAI Automotive Industry NL, was held following the presentation of the Dutch acceleration agenda by DAF Trucks CEO Harald Seidel.
The meeting provided space for a constructive conversation on the urgency of building a strong European battery industry. “Europe, including the Netherlands, must speed up the development of its battery value chain – and the Netherlands should play a structural role in this,” said Amhaouch. “Now is the time to join forces – public and private, national and European.”
Batteries are essential for both sustainable mobility and energy storage. However, the gap between innovation and industrial scale is still significant. BCC-NL is committed to narrowing that gap together with its partners. “Not only to achieve our sustainability goals, but also to reduce our dependence on other economic powers. As a small country, the Netherlands must become strategically smarter,” Amhaouch emphasized.
On the exhibition floor, the Netherlands is showcasing its strengths. Companies like LeydenJar (silicon anodes), TulipTech (battery packs for drones), and VDL Groep (battery storage) are presenting their innovations to an international audience. “There is tremendous strength, knowledge and ambition in our ecosystem,” said Amhaouch. “The challenge now is to structurally connect that innovation to the European battery value chain.”
His message is clear: the Netherlands must grow into an indispensable supplier in the global battery sector, with a strategic focus on areas such as recycling, materials innovation, production systems, and heavy-duty applications. “We don’t need to lead in every area, but we can excel in key segments. That requires strong collaboration with public and private partners across Europe.”
About BCC-NL
The Battery Competence Cluster – NL (BCC-NL) is the national collaboration platform for the Dutch battery sector. The cluster connects companies, knowledge institutions, and government bodies with the aim of building a strong, innovative, and strategically relevant battery ecosystem in the Netherlands and across Europe.
Note to Editors
For more information, please contact:
Mustafa Amhaouch – Director, BCC-NL
📧 info@batterycompetencecluster.nl
🌐 www.batterycompetencecluster.nl
