International Value Chain-Track ‘Energy Storage Systems'

Join a cross industry collaboration project funded by Oost NL and EFA, run by CIRCO and Shift Cycling Culture, to co-create and implement practical, value-driven solutions for end-of-life batteries.

THE CHALLENGE 

Battery End-of-Life - a complex, multi-stakeholder system:

Collecting and recycling e-bike batteries involves global supply chains, diverse rules, and multiple players. The upcoming EU Battery Regulation sets high collection and recycling targets that are currently not met. The cycling industry must make significant progress to comply and avoid penalties. At the same time, coordinated collection solutions can boost customer and dealer satisfaction.

Losing valuable resources:

Every uncollected or discarded battery means critical materials are lost, undermining both environmental and economic value.

The need for collaboration:

Organisations from the entire value chain need to work together to solve this: battery manufacturers, bicycle OEMs, distributors, retailers, refurbishment and recycling companies, as well as national and European battery collection schemes.

THE VALUE CREATION PROGRAM

STEP 1: CIRCO workshop

After successfully running several CIRCO Circular Design Courses together, Shift Cycling Culture and CIRCO have teamed up with Oost NL and EFA to offer a CIRCO workshop tailored to the battery value chain.

This Course brings stakeholders together to:

• Identify circular opportunities in the e-bike battery and energy storage chain.
• Develop new business models for battery repair, reuse, and recycling.
• Build partnerships across the value chain to reduce waste and meet EU targets.

Over the period of four (in-person and online) sessions you will:

• Develop a circular business proposition for the cycling industry that works for all organisations involved.
• Create a concrete and actionable implementation plan.
• Build a strong and collaborative network across the e-bike battery ecosystem.

STEP 2: Implementation support

If the concepts developed during the CIRCO course demonstrate strong potential for lasting impact - such as reducing waste, improving circularity, and strengthening industry-wide collaboration - Shift Cycling Culture, CIRCO, Oost NL, and EFA can support the cycling industry with a long term implementation project through expert guidance and support with attracting potential funding opportunities.

THE DETAILS 

Who Should Join:

• E-bike battery producers
• Cycling brands (OEMs)
• E-bike fleet operators & rental services
• Distributors, retailers
• E-bike battery collection organisations & recyclers

NOTE: Participating organisations must be based in Germany or the Netherlands, or have a subsidiary there.

Dates 2026:

10 Feb – Half-day (Germany & Netherlands separately, on location)

19 Feb – Online session (1.5 hours)

26 Feb – Full day (Germany & Netherlands together)

12 Mar – Half-day (Germany & Netherlands together)

Costs:

This workshop is fully funded – participation is free of charge.

Participants:

8–12 organisations (two participants per organisation)

FUNDING & PARTNERS /

This initiative is funded by Oost NL, the development agency for the eastern Netherlands, and EFA (Effizienz-Agentur NRW), the competence center for resource efficiency under the North Rhine- Westphalian Ministry of the Environment. The course fee is covered. However, participants must pay for their own travel, accommodation, meals, and any personal spending during the course.

This workshop brings together stakeholders from across the energy storage and battery sector. The cycling industry is invited to join this workshop to explore opportunities around e-bike batteries. Cross-sector participation is encouraged - and exercises are tailored to each participant’s needs and value chain.

For more information or questions, please contact sandra@shiftcyclingculture.com