A Growing Divide between the East and the West
A recent study conducted by the universities of Münster and Cambridge, in collaboration with the Fraunhofer FFB, has highlighted the risk of the United States and Europe losing the global competition for future-proof battery technologies. The researchers analyzed patents and innovation strategies of various countries, revealing a widening gap between Asian nations and the West.
While China is actively developing both high-performance and cost-effective batteries, Japan and South Korea are focusing on high-energy solutions. In contrast, Europe and the United States are primarily investing in the further development of existing lithium-ion technology. The authors of the study warn that this approach may jeopardize the long-term competitiveness of the region.
The study suggests that the innovation policy in Europe and the United States urgently needs to be adapted, with a particular emphasis on promoting the transfer of knowledge and technology with Asian partners to bridge the gap.