The Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) has inaugurated the “Powder-Up!” pilot plant in Ulm. For the first time in Germany, it enables the manufacturer-independent production of battery materials and their precursors of up to 100 kilograms.
Focus on innovative cathode materials
Construction of the four-story building began in December 2022. ZSW wants to offer its development platform to partners from industry and science. According to an official statement, only “industry-proven machines are available there to ensure successful product manufacturing under near-series conditions.” The focus is mainly on new types of cathode materials.
Shortening development cycles
The facility has a usable area of 2,400 square meters and covers all production steps for manufacturing high-energy battery materials, including a precipitation plant for preliminary products, high-temperature heat treatment, and various post-processing options. The building also integrates new chemical laboratories and high-precision analytical measuring equipment. The aim is to use the plant to quickly produce and test multiple product samples, thereby shortening development cycles.
34 million euros of public funding
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research funded the construction of the pilot plant with 24 million euros, while the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor, and Tourism supported the “Powder-Up!” building with ten million euros.
