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Strategic opportunity or a chokepoint in disguise? : the case of silicon-anodes in the European battery supply chain
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Florence : European University Institute, 2025
EUI; STG; Capstone Report
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CISCO, Giovanni, Strategic opportunity or a chokepoint in disguise? : the case of silicon-anodes in the European battery supply chain, Florence : European University Institute, 2025, EUI, STG, Capstone Report - https://hdl.handle.net/1814/93835
Abstract
This capstone investigates whether silicon-anode batteries can enhance the European Union’s strategic autonomy by offering technological, supply chain, and geopolitical advantages. As battery technologies become increasingly central to industrial competitiveness and the green transition, the EU faces significant dependencies on China, particularly in the graphite supply chain. In contrast, silicon-anodes, though still emerging, represent a high-performance alternative with the potential to rebalance strategic exposure. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines a technological state-of-play analysis, supply chain mapping, and a strategic dependence risk framework to evaluate the risks and opportunities associated with silicon-anode adoption. Findings suggest that while silicon-anodes currently pose a lower risk of strategic dependence than graphite, growing demand and concentrated processing, especially in China, could create new chokepoints. The study concludes that anticipatory policy action is essential to avoid reproducing old dependencies in silicon-anodes and next-generation technologies. Recommendations include scaling R&D, improving traceability, strengthening international partnerships, and embedding supply chain foresight into EU industrial strategy. Silicon-anodes present a timely opportunity for the EU to shift from reactive to proactive industrial policy and to secure a its place in the development of secure and resilient battery technologies.
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Award date: 13 June 2025
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Georgios Papakonstantinou (European University Institute)
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Georgios Papakonstantinou (European University Institute)