The Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB has produced its first functional lithium-ion cell at its “FFB PreFab” pilot plant in Münster, Germany. According to the research center, this is the first end-to-end cell production process that uses exclusively European plant technology, from electrode application to charged cell.
One-billion-euro project
The pilot line serves to transfer technologies from research to industrial applications. The PreFab currently covers a research area of around 3,000 square meters. Meanwhile, the expansion of the significantly larger “FFB Fab” main facility is progressing. Spanning around 20,000 square meters, the facility will enable research on an industrial scale. The project is part of Germanyʼs high-tech agenda, aiming to establish the groundwork for competitive battery production within the country. The federal government is providing up to 750 million euros for the Fraunhofer FFB, while the state of North Rhine-Westphalia is contributing around 320 million euros for construction and land. The goal is to create a functional link between research and industrial implementation.
Access for research and SME
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), as well as research institutions, will particularly benefit from access to a modular and digitized manufacturing infrastructure. The facility will not only test new production processes but also develop concepts for operating and recycling batteries.
Source:
https://www.ffb.fraunhofer.de/en/press/news/Erste_aktive_Zelle_in_der_FFB_PreFab_gefertigt.html
