The two day U.S. Croatia Forum took place in Zagreb (April 4-5, 2022). It is also the 30th anniversary of the U.S.- Croatia partnership that provides tremendous benefits; ours is a bilateral relationship built upon shared values, shared interests, and exceptional people-to-people ties. The U.S.-Croatia Forum is an opportunity to reflect on joint successes and further articulate how this partnership will continue to deliver for both Croatians and Americans going forward.
This two-day event included panel sessions on topics of shared interest, such as the business and innovation ecosystem, leadership in addressing climate change, critical infrastructure and investment, cyber security and IT, European energy diversity and regional energy security, scientific and technological collaboration, women’s leadership, as well as defense and security ties. The Forum united U.S. and Croatian government officials, defense and security specialists, political and business leaders, innovation-space influencers, and rising start-up stars to advocate U.S.-Croatia policy partnership and private sector engagement, facilitate high-level dialogue to strengthen U.S.-Croatia economic and security ties, and further build strategic collaboration.
Sunceco Inc., Fremont, CA presented its projects and partnerships in Croatia, starting from the production of solar modules and solar lights in 2019, battery storage production in 2021, EV chargers & charging platform in 2022 and announcing its biggest project of battery cells production in Sisak, Croatia. The investment worth USD 245 million includes construction of plant for industrial production of 2 GWh /year of lithium-ion battery cells, and recycling process – from raw materials to advanced materials and back to components. The plant will be located in the City of Sisak, with strong base and tradition in industry and educated labor force requiring 320 workers engaged in production process.
This project contributes to the European energy capacity as the battery cells manufacturing shortage in Europe in the period 2020-2030 amounts around 400 GWh. The estimation for EU market demand for energy storage is 65 GWh (2025), 200 Gwh (2030) and for electrical vehicles 408 (2025), 1293 (2030).
