Who are we?
The AFDIB aims to federate and represent producers, distributors and importers of industrial and starter batteries in France.
In France, the Government has recognized for several years the strategic importance of this sector and considers that 'mastery of the key value chains of the zero-carbon economy, particularly those related to batteries, is essential to enable our reindustrialization, succeed in our energy transition, and eliminate any form of energy dependency.
At the European level, the emergence of new standards creates new legal obligations that industry stakeholders must comply with, particularly those of Regulation EU 2023/1542 concerning batteries and battery waste. AFDIB, the reference body for industrial and starter battery operators, supports its members in their compliance efforts by facilitating dialogue with public authorities and all stakeholders, and by organizing regular sharing of information and best practices.
Our Members:
AFDIB’s DNA
We intend to represent all stakeholders of the four main existing battery technologies: lead, lithium, nickel, and sodium, each addressing specific applications lead, lithium, nickel and sodium, each for specific applications:
Stationary stocking
of energy :
connected objects, telecommunications equipment, data centers, renewable energy storage, medical devices, military equipment, etc.
Automobile Mobility :
light and utility vehicles (vans and minibuses intended for the transport of goods or persons), heavy vehicles (road transport exceeding 3.5 tons).
Off-road
Transportation :
rail, maritime and river, aerospace and space.
Handling
and Logistics :
pallet trucks, forklifts, vehicles, and automated guided carts, construction machinery, etc.
Our Objectives
The association has four main objectives:
- To be the voice of battery stakeholders within the French energy and mobility ecosystem;
- To establish a lasting dialogue with public authorities and actors in mobility, storage, and energy management;
- To advocate for the positions of stakeholders in ongoing and future discussions, at both national and European levels;
- To organize compliance for companies in the sector with EU Regulation 2023/1, being the voice of battery stakeholders within the French energy and mobility ecosystem;
Our History
The French Association of the Battery Industry was created the 27th of March, 2023, based on a threefold vision:
- Batteries are an essential technological component of the ecological transition. Energy storage is set to play a crucial role in the fight against climate change, given the increasing electrification of our societies. They are at the heart of achieving the ambitious decarbonization goals set at the national and European levels under the Fit for 55 package (reducing greenhouse gas emissions of the European Union by 55% by 2030).
- The role of batteries in the ecological transition requires a better understanding of their technologies and applications. The sector has not yet had a representation structure that brings together all the stakeholders. The battery industry is already structured and represented at the European level. It is also organized at the level of several member states. The time has come for the French sector to organize itself to speak with one voice.
- The sector has not yet had a representation structure
that brings together all the stakeholders. The battery industry is already structured and represented at the European level. It is also organized at the level of several member states.
The time has come for the French sector to organize itself to speak with one voice.
The Founding Members
Here are the biographies of the founding members of the French Association of the Battery Industry (AFDIB), key players in the domain of solutions for energy stocking.
Learn about their careers and essential contributions to the battery industry.
Cédric JORANT
(Clarios)
Cédric Jorant has 24 years of experience in the automotive sector (B to B / B to C), including 13 years as General Manager of CLARIOS France SAS. Clarios creates the most advanced battery technologies for nearly all types of vehicles. We are a global leader in energy storage solutions. For over 130 years, CLARIOS has focused on developing battery technologies that use less energy and resources, while meeting the increasing demands of consumers and the needs of our clients. One in three vehicles worldwide is powered by a CLARIOS battery. In addition to his roles at Clarios, Cédric Jorant serves as the treasurer of AFDIB.
Vincent BAUDELET
(Enersys)
Vincent Baudelet is the Vice President of Sales and Service for the Motive Power division at EnerSys EMEA. An expert in the commercialization of energy storage systems with over 25 years of experience, he has resided in Zug, Switzerland since 2019. Previously, he served as the Regional Sales Director for the Middle East and Africa in Dubai for 11 years, where he significantly contributed to EnerSys’s regional expansion by establishing several subsidiaries. His expertise has been essential in strengthening EnerSys’s presence in developing markets. Vincent holds a Master's degree in International Business obtained in 1994 from 'l'ESC Lille and completed an Executive Master's in Strategy and Management of International Business at ESSEC, Paris in 2009. In addition to his duties, Vincent serves as the Secretary of AFDIB.
Serge ARBES
(Exide Technologies)
Serge Arbes Serge Arbes is the Global Director of Energy Solutions at Exide Technologies, a leading provider of batteries and energy storage systems. With 30 years of international experience in the industrial and automotive sectors, including a notable 14-year specialization in batteries and energy storage, Serge oversees product management, application engineering, sales, business strategy, and market intelligence in his current role. His area of expertise spans crucial segments such as inverters/data centers, bulk energy storage systems, railways, electric utilities, nuclear power plants, and telecommunications. In addition to his responsibilities at Exide, Serge Arbes serves as the President of AFDIB, the French Association of Battery Industries.
Answering Energy Needs
The coexistence of technologies is essential as none can individually meet all needs: high power, long lifespan, low cost, safety, and minimal environmental impact. Each technology possesses a specific potential for development and innovation, making their complementarity indispensable.
What technologies are best suited
for these new circumstances?
No single technology addresses all the various needs expressed by end users: high power and energy density, long lifespan, low cost, excellent safety, and minimal environmental impact.
Future Solutions for Stocking Plans ?
No battery technology alone is sufficient to meet the future storage needs in Europe.
What Standards and Specifics Need Prioritization?
Each technology presents a substantial potential for development and innovation, directly linked to the requirements and specificities of various applications.
